A brutal blaze claimed the life of Daniel Gardner, 36, after his flat was set on fire. Stephen Dale, 47, has been convicted of manslaughter and arson following the horrific attack.
Fire Set in Early Hours
In the early hours of September 19 last year, Dale doused Daniel’s Highters Heath home with petrol and set it ablaze. Flames ripped through the front door and quickly spread to the upper apartment where Daniel lived. Despite firefighters rescuing Daniel from the burning flat, he tragically died later in hospital from severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Link to Girlfriend’s Past Love
Daniel shared two children with Dale’s girlfriend from a previous relationship, igniting a deadly feud. Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith told Birmingham Crown Court: “Dale saw Daniel Gardner as a significant problem and felt he had to do something about it.” Dale and accomplice Tyler Phythian, 19, took a taxi to Asda shortly before midnight to buy petrol in a green can. CCTV captured them near the scene at 12:48am, moments before a large flash marked the fire’s start.
Jury Verdict and Next Steps
- Dale was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and arson.
- Phythian was cleared of serious charges but convicted of arson.
- Phythian allegedly admitted to killing Daniel, claiming the plan was to “blow a car up to teach him a lesson”.
Sentencing for both men is scheduled for June 25.
