Youths face tramp fire trial

Teenagers accused of setting fire to a tramp have gone on trial.

William John Williams, 67, was found with serious burns to his back after apparently having petrol poured on him in a lane of a busy Cardiff street on 17 January.

Two youths, aged 16, are accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

It is important that you put all recollections of that publicity completely out of your minds

Judge John Griffith Williams QC

Their trial began at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday under special conditions for youths.

The elderly man had been in a critical but stable condition at Swansea's Morriston Hospital burns unit.

Police said he had suffered burns to 27% of his body after the incident, which took place around 0300 GMT.

Judge John Griffith Williams QC said the defendants would be sitting with their barristers, who would wear no robes or wigs "in accordance with modern practice."

School length

The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will sit in court for sessions of "school length," between 1100 BST and 1600 BST.

He told the jury: "This is a case which concerns an incident when William John Williams was set on fire as he lay in a lane or doorway off City Road in the city centre.

"The incident attracted a considerable amount of publicity at the time.

"But it is important that you put all such recollections of that publicity completely out of your minds."

He said the victim had lived the lifestyle of a tramp and was to be seen about the streets and communities at all times of day, despite having an address at Gloucester Street in the Riverside area.