Fire prank youth fails to win sentence cut

Stephen Pearson, now 21, was one of a duo who set about shaving the eyebrows and dyeing the hair of David Skelton as he lay slumped in a chair during the drunken party on Washington's Coach Road Estate on March 29.

The party began after the home's occupants went away for the night and their teenage son decided to entertain his friends in their absence.

Another youth had placed turpentine on David's hair in order to bleach it, but the solvent was having no effect so it was suggested that they instead try to singe his eyebrows, the court heard.

Pearson was presented with a cigarette lighter which he placed at the corner of David's eye intending to singe the eyebrows.

Mr Justice Davis - who said Pearson had no inkling that the turpentine was so combustible - described how the lighter's flame made contact with the solvent in David's hair and burst into flames.

David was immediately doused in water to quell the burns before being rushed to hospital for urgent treatment. He was found to have sustained "serious burns", resulting in scarring to the head which could be permanent.

Pearson has since expressed sincere remorse for his actions, the court heard. He had done his utmost to help David, even trying to beat down the flames with his bare hands before rushing to fetch water.

Pearson, of Longburn Close, Urpeth Grange, Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court in August this year, pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm for which he received a 12-month sentence.

He appealed the sentence on grounds that it was "manifestly excessive", but had his case rejected today by Mr Justice Davis, sitting with Mr Justice Gibbs.

The judge said the incident had "gone beyond being a stupid prank", adding: "What happened by using the lighter was recklessly and indeed wickedly dangerous".

"This was a very serious offence and the consequences have been very serious for the victim."