Four teenagers who pleaded guilty to arson after burning down the Grade II*-listed Rheola House manor in the Neath Valley have been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with the future of the historic building now in serious doubt.
Kyle Renzoni, Ellis Harding, Yian Foster, and Evan Traynor appeared for sentencing after previously admitting arson. A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had already been sentenced at Swansea Youth Court.
Attack and Investigation
The court heard that the teenagers arrived at Rheola House on August 18 and were masked when they carried out the attack. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, and GoPro footage recovered by police after the arrests showed that one of the defendants had filmed the crime.
The teenagers' plan to torch the historic manor could be heard on the video, along with their immediate reaction to starting the fire.
Historic Significance and Future Uncertainty
Rheola House was designed by renowned architect John Nash and built between 1812 and 1818. There had been plans to redevelop the manor into a hotel, spa, and leisure complex, a project the judge said would have "significantly benefitted the whole of the Neath Valley," but the court heard this is now in doubt.
At this stage, it is not known if the building can be restored. A prosecution barrister talked the court through the difficulty of assessing the value of the loss and how the fire will have "significant consequences" for the viability of the site's future.
Judge's Remarks
Before the teenagers learned their fate, the judge said: "You actions can only be described as an unfathomable display of unspeakable wickedness."
