‘Death threats’ before hut was torched

The survivor of a horrific arson attack said one of the killers made death threats before they torched his woodland hut.

Petrisor Manea suffered severe burns during the blaze while Ionut Manea (no rel) was killed when the makeshift shack was burnt to the ground.

Ionel-Octavian Stanciu, 38, and Petre Deliu, 54, are on trial accused of setting light to Ionut’s hut in Ilford, east London on 18 June 2019.

Appearing via video link from Romania, Petrisor recalled receiving threats from Stanciu on the evening of the fire: ‘I remember talking to him in Barking when he was under the influence of alcohol.

‘He said I will set fire to that place so that you can’t live there anymore.’

Stanciu and Deliu allegedly poured four litres of petrol over Manea’s home before lighting it with the two occupants still inside.

As flames engulfed the hut, motorists on the nearby North Circular called the police.
Officers raced to the campsite and found the two men amongst the charred ruins.

Despite their best efforts paramedics and doctors were unable to save Ionut and he was pronounced dead the next day.

Petrisor told the jury how he survived the attack: ‘I remember seeing fire and flames.
‘I covered my face with my hands to protect my eyes.

‘I only remember that I managed to get out of the hut with my hands covering my eyes.

‘I remember that Stanciu was nearby and he was looking at me.

‘He was complaining. He put his hands on his head and said my God, my God what have I done.’

Deliu, of Carson Road, Canning Town, east London and Stanciu, of Westminster Gardens, deny murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial continues.