Two young thugs who tried to turn a teenager into

Two young thugs who tried to turn a teenager into a
human fireball have been locked up by an Old Bailey judge.

The mother of Neville Carnegie, 16, wept as Judge
Brian Capstick, QC, sentenced him to three years nine months
detention saying: ‘You are a dangerous young man.

‘
Carnegie’s partner in crime Leon Webber, 19, was sent
to custody for three years and four months.

The court heard their victim, Karl Harris, 17, was saved
from horrific burns only because Carnegie’s lighter failed to work.

Mr Harris was said to be a victim of an extortion
racket on the Moorlands Estate, Brixton.

His ordeal began when he returned to his home in
Hollybush Walk on July 2 last year.

He found his assailants crouching in his porch, dousing
the door with petrol.

As the teenager approached Webber jumped up and Carnegie
hit him in the face, saying: ‘I’m going to burn you.

‘
He then began pouring the petrol all over Mr Harris’s body,
said prosecutor Mr Peter Walsh.

‘Then with a cigarette lighter he began to try and
set him alight,’ said counsel.

‘By a miracle, the cigarette lighter, although sparking,
failed to light.

‘Otherwise the consequences may have been too horrific
to contemplate.

‘
The court heard Carnegie and a third teenager, Richard
Williams were also involved in a fight with Mr Harris’s step
brother, Dean Grout, 22 who was punched and kicked into
unconsciousness.

But the jury rejected the allegations of racketeering
that Williams and Webber alone faced and found them not guilty of
blackmail.

Carnegie of Carrara Walk on the Moorlands Estate was
convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing
items with intent to damage property and causing actual bodily
harm to Mr Grout on June 24.

Webber, also of Carrara Walk was convicted of attempting
to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing items with intent to
endanger property.

Williams, 17, of Adelaide Walk, Stockwell, was convicted
of causing actual bodily harm to Mr Grout.

Passing sentence the judge said: ‘People on that
estate should know that a substantial sentence will be passed
when offences of this sort are committed.

‘
Sending Carnegie to a young offenders intistution he
said: ‘To attempt to set someone alight, they having been doused
with petrol, is an appalling offence.

‘Had you succeeded, your victim would have been very badly
burnt.

‘There is no doubt in my mind that this was initiated
by you.

I think the public needs protection from serious harm
from you.

‘
Turning to Webber, also sent to a young offenders institution
the judge said: ‘The offence was one which was fraught with horrific
consequences had he been set alight.

The attempt itself was appalling.

‘
Williams was told: ‘In my view the offence of causing actual
bodily harm is so serious that immediate custody should follow.

‘But I take the view that you have served seven months
on remand.

In those circumstances I propose to pass a sentence
which allows you your liberty.

‘
Williams grinned as the judge passed a six month sentence,
allowing him to walk free.

ENDS