Petrol attack man sent to prison

Austwicke covered his face when he carried out the attack

An arsonist who doused a Hartlepool man in petrol and set him alight has been jailed indefinitely.

Tony Austwicke left a trail of fuel from victim Michael Webb before igniting it and giving a "victory salute" to onlookers.

The 35-year-old, of Ridlington Way, admitted arson and GBH.

The judge at Teesside Crown Court described the attack as "hideous" and said Austwicke must serve six years before parole would be considered.

Throughout the day of 4 August last year, tensions had been building on the town's Annandale Crescent, where a large group of people were drinking, according to Cleveland Police.

Det Supt Gordon Lang said: "As the night progressed alcohol was involved in quite significant quantities.

"It culminated in Michael being attacked by Tony Austwicke who had taken steps to conceal his identity, poured petrol onto him, the front door and a trail from the house.

"He turned to the crowd, lit the petrol and gave them a victory salute."

Mr Webb ran back inside the house, where he was recovered by firefighters, then taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Hospital.

Neighbours watched as Austwicke set his victim on fire

He suffered severe burns and needed several operations, including skin grafts, and had two fingers amputated.

His partner Stephanie said: "When I got to the hospital I got the shock of my life.

"I never ever want to see anything like that again, it was dreadful.

"I wouldn't wish anyone to go through it because all I could see of his face was his eyes and that was it. He was bandaged up head to foot everywhere else."

Mr Webb, who was in a coma for several weeks, said he barely knew his attacker, but did not harbour any grudges about the attack.

He said: "I'd like to hear him saying sorry, but I can't see him saying sorry to me. I've got no hatred towards him or anything like that."