Tramp fire boys 'named and shamed'

The attack happened at City Road in Roath, Cardiff

Two teenage boys who set fire to a sleeping tramp have been "named and shamed" by a judge at Cardiff Crown Court.

Barrie Thompson and Dean Jones, both 17 - who were convicted turning Billy Williams into a human fireball - were sentenced to six years in custody.

The publicity should act as a deterrent for other who make think about following their example

Judge John Griffith Williams

Mr Williams, 67, suffered burns to 27% of his body after the boys used a cigarette lighter to set fire to his clothes.

He died in a coma three months later, though tests did not show that his death was directly linked to the incident.

Thompson and Jones denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but a jury found them guilty.

The trial was held at Cardiff Crown Court

Judge John Griffith Williams QC lifted a ban on identification - so that the public would know their names.

"The publicity should act as a deterrent for other who make think about following their example," Judge Williams said.

"There is a public interest in crimes as serious as this that defendants should be named."

The jury was told that Mr Williams had been sleeping in a lane near City Road, Roath, Cardiff, when the boys set him on fire in the early hours of the morning.

"Unhealthy interest"

They broke open a cigarette lighter and threw the fuel over him, and he was also kicked and robbed of keys.

The two-week trial heard the Thompson and Jones had shown an "unhealthy interest in fire".

When questioned Jones said: "He was only a tramp."

And one of the boys later told a social worker he had laughed when Mr Williams went on fire.

"Callous cruelty"

Both boys were sentenced to six years custody.

Judge Williams said: "It is fortunate that we rarely come across people so young who are capable of such callous cruelty. Mr Williams was subjected to serious kicking and robbed of his keys."

The court heard both boys had previous convictions for arson.

One started a fire in his Cardiff special school four years ago which destroyed an out-building, and the other set fire to a wheelie bin and also has a previous conviction for robbery.

Thompson, of Rhymney Street, Cathays, Cardiff, and Jones, of Fidlas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, were not charged with murder because Mr Williams' death could not be directly linked to the attack.

They both denied inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent but were found guilty.