Alcoholic Daniel Streeton facing sentence after torching parents' Tonbridge home
Maidstone Crown Court,
where Streeton was convicted
by Keith Hunt
An alcoholic is facing sentence after he was convicted of
starting a fire at his parents’ home when told there was no more
drink.
Daniel Streeton acted out of anger and frustration and used a
cigarette lighter to torch curtains in an annexe of the house in
Winchester Road, Tonbridge.
There at the time were his girlfriend, mother and
stepfather.
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.”
Streeton denied 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.
Streeton has a previous conviction for arson in 2006 for setting
fire to a sofa at the same property following a row with his mother
Kim Streeton.
At the time of the blaze last year Streeton’s alcohol abuse was
considered such a problem that it was deemed medically dangerous
for him not to drink.
Prosecutor Brian Reece said 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.
“The time came when more was not provided because there was no
more,” said Mr Reece. “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 asked his mother for a cigarette.
Recorder Peter Morgan ordered psychiatric reports and adjourned
sentence for 12 weeks. Streeton was remanded in custody.
25/01/13
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