Manslaughter duo jailed for 10 years (From Barry And District News)

Manslaughter duo jailed for 10 years

TWO men have been jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of a Barry firefighter.

Richard Jenkins, who was 28, died from head injuries following an explosion at an old bingo hall in Ely, Cardiff, last May.

Christopher Raisis, aged 25, and Jamie Evans, aged 20, denied manslaughter but were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court.

Along with a third man - Craig Sterio, aged 31, who was jailed for four years - they were also found guilty of witness intimidation, robbery and causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Jenkins, from Bryntirion, Bridgend, had been the first firefighter to enter the building, which Raisis and Evans set fire to.

He died after a gas cannister exploded in the disused hall.

He had been based at Barry for 18 months after joining the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service in 2002.

He left a widow, Catherine, and two young children Conor and Charlotte.

Sentencing Raisis and Evans on Monday, Judge Mr Justice Forbes told them: "As a result of your actions of wanton vandalism, Richard Jenkins died.

"He was a much-loved family man in the prime of his life.

"He was a dedicated and courageous public servant who died in the course of his public duty, fighting a fire which you deliberately set.

"Your crime has devastated his family, friends and colleagues. It has caused lasting grief and sorrow.

"The wider public is much the poorer for losing this young man whose tragic death was brought about by your crime.

"You have shown no remorse, no regret in what you have done."

Throughout the trial, both Raisis and Evans denied starting the blaze.

Raisis told the jury that he was "nowhere near" the old bingo hall and community centre at the time of the explosion.

Evans denied making a phone call during which he was overheard saying'you've killed the fireman'.

He said he only learned of the death the following day when his mother told him.

Responding to the verdict, Chief Fire Officer Brian Fraser said: "As always, our thoughts remain with Richard's family.

"This guilty verdict is no consolation for the tragic loss of a husband, son, father, firefighter, colleague and friend.

"The decision of the court and jury today does bring some justice to this terrible event. Knowing that the guilty have been apprehended and punished will allow us all in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and of course Richard's family and friends, to bring some sort of closure to the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.

"This guilty verdict should send a stark message to those people who go out of their way to deliberately set fire to buildings - the courts will hold those who commit fire crime accountable for their actions.

"Potential arsonists must realise that deliberately starting fires is not just a'bit of fun', but has serious and far-reaching consequences.

"If there is just one positive note in this whole sorry situation, it is that the punishment of the guilty men will help avoid fire deaths of the public and the firefighters, whose job is to simply educate and protect their communities."

Chairman of the Fire Authority, Councillor Derek Rees added: "This has been a terrible time for the Service, the Fire Authority, and most importantly Richard Jenkins' family and friends.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I hope that the end of this trial will help in some way to allow our firefighters and those close to Richard to bring some degree of closure to these most tragic of circumstances.

"We hope this guilty verdict sends a far-reaching message to all those people who carry out senseless acts of arson, that they now think twice about their actions, which so often lead to unnecessary loss of life."