A judge has stated that an Iraqi asylum seeker endangered lives by setting fire to two hotels housing asylum seekers, as he was determined to do 'whatever it takes' to be relocated to better accommodation.
Details of the Arson Attacks
Rawand Abdulrahman, 37, caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage at the taxpayer-funded properties. The blaze at the Phoenix Hotel in North Weald, Essex, necessitated the rebuilding of an entire wing. 'Terrified' residents, including children, were present at the time. Just eight days later, Abdulrahman set fire to the Bell Hotel in Epping, located a few miles away.
Arrest and Conviction
Abdulrahman was quickly arrested after the second fire and has now been convicted of two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Jurors cleared him of arson with intent to endanger life. He showed no emotion as Judge Alexander Mills sentenced him to eight-and-a-half years in prison, with an additional three years on licence. Abdulrahman will serve two-thirds of his sentence before the Parole Board considers his release, after which he was warned he would likely be deported.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Mills noted that the defendant, who had been refused asylum in Sweden before coming to the UK, had decided 'enough was enough' and took matters into his own hands to be moved from accommodation he considered 'akin to a prison'. The judge added: 'It's clear to me that you are willing to do whatever it takes to further a particular outcome, particularly when you do not like it, and think that things will not change unless you take matters into your own hands.'
The Phoenix Hotel Fire
The fire at the Phoenix Hotel on March 28 last year began in Room 9, where Abdulrahman—whose claims to be a sheep farmer from Iraq could not be verified by authorities—was staying with another asylum seeker. He set light to the beds, which were arranged in an L-shape, and the fire tore through the entire left wing of the building. The trial heard there was no loss of life after staff acted quickly to activate the fire alarm, although the repair bill will run to 'several hundreds of thousands of pounds'.
The Bell Hotel Fire
Abdulrahman was briefly transferred to another hotel in Reading, Berkshire, before being given a room at The Bell. The hotel had been the scene of violent protests from July last year after a resident sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. On April 5, two mattresses in the shared room were set on fire, damaging the room and all its contents at a cost of around £40,000. The other occupant was away at the time.
Fire Service Investigations
An investigation by the Essex Fire Service into the Phoenix Hotel blaze concluded that the fire was likely started on purpose. The fire spread and entirely destroyed the left wing of the hotel. Investigators produced a report dated September 17 last year, concluding that the most probable cause of the fire was deliberate ignition, with the area of origin including the left-hand mattress in room 9. They also concluded that there was a risk of several fatalities, with the rapid development of the fire increasing the risk to occupants and staff, and a risk to responders attempting to save lives. The cause of the fire at the Bell was also investigated, with the conclusion that the most probable cause was deliberate ignition through the introduction of a naked flame to material on the bed, or the mattresses themselves. There was again the risk of fatalities, but the quick actions of staff had also prevented this, the court heard.
Defence and Background
Abdulrahman, who has no previous convictions, was described by his defence barrister, James Cox, as 'in state-imposed limbo', whose life 'was one of extreme uncertainty, frustration, fear and desperation'. He added: 'This offending took place as the culmination of a life of hardship and hopelessness after years upon years of waiting for his asylum [application] to be processed with no control over his life. The offending took place at a point of heightened desperation and frustration.' The court heard that, unlike in Sweden, Abdulrahman was unable to work whilst in the UK awaiting the outcome of his asylum application. But Judge Mills told the defendant: 'This was not a moment of madness that arose out of a background. In my judgement, what you sought to do quite deliberately was to get moved on from this accommodation by what you did.'
Police Statement
Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, the District Commander for Epping Forest, said after the hearing last week: 'Abdulrahman's actions risked the safety of the residents and staff at both hotels. I am pleased that our investigation, and the support from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, has ensured he has been held accountable. We will investigate offences where and when they take place, regardless of who they involve or where they take place.'
