An arsonist who killed two of his neighbours in a “premeditated and devastating revenge attack” has been sentenced to serve his whole life in jail.
Hakeem Kigundu, 32, admitted pouring petrol over the ground floor of the home in Reading, Berkshire, and starting the fire that killed Richard Burgess, 46, and Neil Morris, 45.
The blaze also seriously hurt two other residents, Joel Richards who suffered third-degree burns, and Laura Wiggins who was left with a punctured lung, a kidney haematoma and fractures to her pelvis, ribs, right arm and spine.
In the days before his deadly arson, Kigundu, a Ugandan national believed to have entered the UK illegally, bought 40 litres of petrol, a sledgehammer, and a “V For Vendetta” mask.
He outlined his intention to kill his neighbours in a voice note and created an email address with the words “burn them all”.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Holgate said: “I’m sure this was a premeditated attack made by the defendant in revenge.”
He added: “I do not accept that any real remorse has been shown – acceptance of guilt, yes, but not remorse.”
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Justice Holgate issued Kigundu with a “whole life order”. This means a person will never be released from prison, except in exceptional compassionate circumstances.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Kigundu planned the attack after growing angry about the fact his neighbours had complained about his antisocial behaviour and about losing his job as a BT engineer in the months before.
The court had previously heard a voice note recorded by Kigundu on 9 December, in which he appeared to state his intention to cause the “death” of his neighbours at Rowe Court.
One of the block’s former residents, bus driver Mr Richards, 55, risked his life to rouse two people before jumping from a second-floor window. He told the court he had seen Kigundu laughing from his car parked outside as the building burned.
Kigundu pleaded guilty on 20 September to two counts of murder, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.
‘Sense of justice’
Lawyer Hayley Garey, of the Crown Prosecution Service, described it as a “premeditated and devastating revenge attack”.
She said: “He started the fire in the middle of the night when he knew it would cause the most harm, damage, and ultimately deaths.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims who were killed, and with the survivors who have lost their homes and most of their possessions.
“We hope this sentence can bring them some sense of justice.”
