An 18-year-old Nigerian-British teenager, Nathan Otitodilchukwu of Crow Lane, Romford, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the manslaughter of 76-year-old Robert Price, a pensioner whose life was tragically cut short.
Otitodilchukwu was sentenced on Monday at the Old Bailey, one of the UK’s most prominent criminal courts. He was sentenced alongside a 16-year-old accomplice from Dagenham, who received a two-year and eight-month prison term for his role in the crime.
Both teenagers had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with the court accepting their pleas on February 11. Their conviction followed a thorough investigation that led prosecutors to reduce the initial charge from murder to manslaughter.
According to the Metropolitan Police, CCTV and doorbell footage captured the 16-year-old climbing a gas meter to throw a lit firework through a gap in a boarded-up window into Mr Price’s home in Oval Road North, Dagenham, on July 27, 2024, while Mr Otitodilchukwu “egged” his friend on.
The police stated that the firework caused a fire outbreak in the pensioner’s home, inflicting injuries on him that later led to his death. They added that after the loud bang, the defendants laughed about it and fled the scene.
Police officers, the London Fire Brigade, and the London Ambulance Service later arrived at the scene. Firefighters forced entry into the property, where Mr Price’s body was found and confirmed dead. A post-mortem examination revealed inhalation of fire fumes and burns as the cause of his death.
The police, who arrested Mr Otitodilchukwu at his home within two days of beginning their investigation, also discovered clothing matching what was seen on CCTV footage. The 16-year-old was also apprehended two days later.
“This is a deeply tragic case, which saw a man lose his life in his own home after a completely mindless and reckless act had devastating consequences. The young defendants will now have to face the consequences of their actions by spending time in prison,” Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke from Specialist Crime North stated, as he urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the outcome of the investigation.
In response, Mr Price’s family expressed gratitude, “to the CPS, police and social services for the work and support they have given us during this difficult time. We would ask that our privacy be respected to allow us to grieve in peace.”
(PeoplesGazette)
