A ‘thorough nuisance’ who risked dozens of lives w

A ‘thorough nuisance’ who risked dozens of lives with an
arson attack on an innocent neighbour walked free from the
Old Bailey today Thursday.

Raymond Millward, 67, smashed out the window of Mrs Bruna
Morrelli’s flat in Murchison Road, Leyton with a brick then
splashed petrol inside and set it ablaze.

His only justification for the revenge motivated act, was that
others – but not 52-year-old Mrs Morrelli – had taunted him during
one of his frequent drunken episodes in the neighbourhood.

Although Mrs Morrelli’s home was empty, Millward’s 2am attack
could have spread to other flats in her block, in which families
with small children were living.

Luckily, the blaze died out.

In court, Millward admitted arson for the November 10 fire last
year, which caused almost pnds stlng 1,000 damage.

The court was told Millward, also of Murchison Road, had a
string of convictions for criminal damage, violence and dishonesty.

Ms Jane Guy-Davies, defending, said her client was ‘a
difficult old boy’ who was ostracised by his neighbours as an
oddball.

‘He is sad, rather than mad.

‘Without drink, he is sad, lonely and depressed and when in
drink he sees himself as something of a big man.

‘
Judge Neil Denison QC said it was clear Millward’s neighbours
did not like him and added: ‘I don’t blame them.

‘
Turning to Millward, the judge continued: ‘You have been, for
some time, a thorough nuisance.

‘In your neighbourhood you have become an object of derision
and when drunk you carry out revenge attacks.

‘You must realise you caused considerable damage to that
flat and put at risk anyone in that block.

If that fire had
spread, you could have been facing a murder charge.

‘
But, continued the judge, if he threw Millward in jail, the
problem would be merely postponed rather than solved.

‘So with considerable hesitation, I am going to pass a
suspended sentence with a supervision order.

That means you
will get some help – for heaven’s sake, make use of it.

‘
Millward did not react as he was sentenced to 18 months
jail, suspended for two years, with an accompanying 18 month
supervision order.

ENDS