Teenager killers face jail after they posted firework through pensioner’s letter box

Two teenagers who killed an 88-year-old grandmother when they posted a firework through her letterbox ‘for a laugh’ are facing years behind bars.

Josephine Smith died in the blaze caused by Kai Cooper, 19, and a 15-year-old boy, who had spent the night terrorising residents in Romford, east London.

Mrs Smith, a Blitz survivor and grandmother of seven, lived alone and was upstairs sleeping in Queens Park Road when the 15-year-old posted the firework on 28 October 2021, a week before Bonfire Night.

Cooper had bought the fireworks and dared the boy to put it through the door.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named, admitted manslaughter and arson.

Cooper denied manslaughter and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered but was convicted by the jury.

Both admitted affray by letting off fireworks in the street, near cars and passers-by.

Throughout the trial Cooper had incensed the family of Mrs Smith by leering and gurning at them from the dock whenever the jury were absent.

The jury found him guilty unanimously after two hours and 30 minutes of deliberation.

Judge Mark Dennis requested psychiatric reports to be prepared for both boys ahead of sentencing on a date to be fixed.

He said: ‘May I commend the family and friends of the deceased who have been in attendance either in court or on a link. Before the jury they have behaved admirably.

‘These are very emotional matters and it must be very, very difficult to be restrained when hearing matters dealt with in a very clinical way In court.’

The pair bought the fireworks from a shop called ‘Fireworks4sale’ in Harold Wood threw them at a restaurant, pub and library.

Cooper told the shopkeeper Mark Vardy: ‘I’m going to throw it in their face bro’, ‘Which are the best ones to let off at people, not gonna do damage, but shoot off and go bang’ and ‘people are going to get terrorised tonight.’

Two days before the incident the pair bragged how they had attacked a woman and Cooper had encouraged the younger boy to stamp on her face.

They hurled firework at a couple outside a fish and chip shop, and it rolled across the man’s foot before exploding.

Cooper denied encouraging the 15-year-old but CCTV caught him gesturing towards Mrs Smith’s home.

Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe said: ‘He encouraged him for a laugh, because it was fun for him.’

After the ‘Mega Burst’ firework was posted at the pensioner’s home, two explosions were seen on CCTV lighting up Mrs Smith’s windows.

Neighbours smelt smoke two hours later but significant fire damage had been done and Mrs Smith was found dead.

Cooper’s girlfriend Lauren Delossantos, then 18, was also with the boys and arrested but was released without further action.

She was heard on CCTV shouting ‘no’ as fireworks were lit.

The teenager said Cooper had ‘dared’ the 15-year-old to post the firework and the younger boy was laughing as he ran across the road to do so.

Mrs Smith had lived in the Harold Wood area her whole life.

Ms Stonecliffe said: ‘They acted as a team. Kai handed the 15-year-old the fireworks.

‘The 15-year-old took a Mega Burst firework that Kai had bought.

‘He ran across the road to 8 Queens Park Road where Josephine Smith was in bed, likely asleep.

‘He lit the firework and he put it through her letterbox. Two explosions occurred in quick succession, just like the ones they had caused in the street.

‘Those explosions caused a fire to start that burnt through Mrs Smith’s house.

‘By the time the fire service arrived the property was filled with smoke and Mrs Smith was pronounced dead just before 10 past 11.’

Cooper, of Cleve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, denied but was convicted of manslaughter and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

He admitted affray by setting off fireworks in the street.