17 July 2023 , 16:19
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A grandad was killed in a horror house fire after arsonists targeted the wrong house in a "retaliatory attack".
George Redmond, 76, died after his house on Dorien Road in Old Swan, Merseyside, was set alight in the early hours of September 1 last year. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the arsonists "targeted the wrong house" in what was intended as a "retaliatory attack".
Fraser Dolman, of Richmond Drive in Leigh, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered in connection with the incident while appearing in the dock this morning.
The 37-year-old, who wore a white t-shirt and sported a shaved head, previously admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Alongside him was James Goulding, of Dentons Green Lane in St Helens. The counts of manslaughter and arson he had faced were ordered to lie on the file and will not be proceeded, with the 26-year-old - who wore a white shirt and light grey tie - having previously pleaded guilty to the drugs offences.
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Wayne Hepburn admitted and arson manslaughter during a hearing (Merseyside Police WS)
Fraser Dolman pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit arson (Merseyside Police WS)Wayne Hepburn, of Kingsley Avenue in Salford, admitted manslaughter during a hearing before the same court on June 23. The 47-year-old also pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Henry Riding, prosecuting, told the court on Monday: "This appears to have been an arson attack because of some drugs problem. They were not intending to burn down the house of the occupant.
"It was a warning of some description, a retaliatory attack as far as the supposed occupants were concerned. Mr Hepburn, in effect, targeted the wrong house."
All three men will be sentenced this Friday, July 21. Dolman and Goulding were remanded into custody by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC, with Hepburn also currently being held in prison awaiting sentence.
Mr Redmond was previously reported to have fallen inside the property as he and his wife Mary attempted to flee the blaze, which broke out shortly after 3.15am.
Paramedics rushed the pensioner to hospital after he suffered smoke inhalation and other injuries, but he died more than two weeks later on September 16.
In a statement released shortly after his death, his family said: "With extreme sadness, we announce the death of a lovely husband, dad and granddad, George Redmond, who died suddenly on September 16 in hospital.
"He was making great progress in his rehabilitation and was already mobile and regaining his independence, so his sudden death was unexpected and utterly tragic and we as a family are absolutely struggling to come to terms with it all.
"We are beyond heartbroken and hope whoever is responsible for this appalling act is swiftly brought to justice. George leaves behind his much-loved wife Mary, to whom he was married for 52 amazing years, and three much-loved daughters - Kathryn, Karyn and Angela - as well as six grandchildren and not forgetting Belle, his beloved cockapoo.
"We will love and miss him forever, and hope there is a steady supply of custard creams wherever he is now. Rest peacefully George."
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