The details behind a serious house fire in Nottingham were heard in court as a man faces sentencing for arson. Abraham English started the blaze which was attended by four fire trucks, police and paramedics on November 17 last year, and caused extensive damage to a house.
That was the home of English's ex-partner and where she lived with three of his children and one other child - but most of them were out that day, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Thursday (May 4). English, 34, of Stockwell, Bulwell, visited earlier in the day and was he was not in a good place mentally.
His former partner said he was sad and crying and covered the camera on his phone with Blu Tack, saying the phones were bugged. He said: "They have got to you too".
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He went upstairs and started the fire in a bedroom. One of the neighbours saw smoke coming from the room and tried to get inside but said the door handle was too hot.
Then English jumped out of a window, landing on the floor outside, and he was thought to be dead because he was motionless for sometime, the court was told. But he got up with a limp and went back inside, locking everyone out and himself in.
Police forced entry to the property in on Deepdene way, Broxtowe, and had to kick down a lounge door, as there was a pet or child gate against it, which English had barricaded. Prosecuting, Alex Wolfson said: "When police found him, he was trying to kill himself by cutting his own throat. He was tasered to prevent him doing any more harm.
"The wound was bleeding. Police tried to keep pressure on it. Thankfully, the wound was not serious or in the right place, because he was fine, at least physically".
At the time, Nottinghamshire Live spoke with neighbours after the fire. They voiced their sadness and described the scene.
Roads were closed at Amesbury Circus, with its junction at Deepdene Way, due to a large emergency services presence. Fire engines, police cars, and an ambulance were pictured responding to the fire.
English pleaded guilty to arson being reckless and was due to be sentenced today. But Judge Stuart Rafferty KC expressed concern about the case and ordered a second psychiatric report on English before he decides on his conclusion.
A psychiatric report already done on English found he was depressed, but the judge said English is expressing paranoid delusional thoughts. English was prescribed anti-psychotic medication in 2022 when he was admitted to hospital.
The judge said: "I just don't feel I know enough". The case will be relisted on June 15.
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