Hard drinker Daniel Streeton set fire to parents' Tonbridge home after being refused alcohol, court told
Daniel Streeton is on
trial at Maidstone Crown Court
by Julia Roberts
A chronic drinker allegedly started a blaze at his parents' home
after he was told there was no more alcohol for him to drink, a
court heard.
Daniel Streeton was said to have acted out of anger and
frustration when he allededly used his cigarette lighter to set
fire to a pair of curtains in an annexe of the property in
Winchester Road, Tonbridge.
In the house at the time were his girlfriend, Anita Jenner, his
mother Kim Streeton and stepfather Patrick Streeton.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard that as fire crews put out
the flames, the 26-year-old was overheard to say: "I have done it
now. I am going to go away for life."
"I have done it now. I am going to go away for life...” – what Daniel Streeton allegedly said after fire
Streeton denies arson being reckless as to whether life was
endangered during the early hours of August 1 last year.
Having refused a solicitor following his arrest, he told
police he did not know whether or not he started the fire or
made the alleged comments.
The court was told Streeton has a previous conviction for
arson in 2006 after setting fire to a sofa at the same property
following a row with his mother.
At the time of the fire last year, Streeton's alcohol abuse was
considered such a problem that it was deemed medically dangerous
for him not to drink.
Brian Reece, prosecuting, explained Streeton had been
"grappling" with his problem for some time and was at risk of
seizures if he withdrew completely.
Therefore his mother, in agreement with medical experts,
regulated the amount of alcohol he was given.
"She had to ensure there was a supply of vodka for him to drink
but she kept it diluted," added the prosecutor. "He was drinking up
to two litres a day."
On the day leading up to the fire, Streeton was said to have had
a "huge" amount of alcohol.
He was asleep on the sofa with a bottle between his legs when
his girlfriend returned home at 5pm.
She told the court Mrs Streeton gave the diluted alcohol to her
son in Lucozade bottles.
"When he woke he wanted more (to drink) and went next door to
his mother to ask for more," said Mr Reece.
"The time came when more was not provided because there was no
more. He was angry and frustrated and in that frame of mind he did
what he did."
The jury was told that as the fire was being extinguished
Streeton, who also smoked at least 25 roll-ups a day, asked his
mother for a cigarette.
Mr Reece said she told him: "You must be joking after what you
have just done", to which Streeton allegedly replied: "Well,
what's done is done."
The trial continues.
22/01/13
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