THIS is the moment laughing teenage yobs hurled fireworks into a home sparking a huge blaze that killed a pensioner.
OAP Robert Price had been victim of a years-long campaign of harassment and criminal damage before he died in the horror blaze.
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The 76-year-old, who had the early signs of dementia, had been left with boarded up windows at his ground floor flat thanks to local youths.
Doorbell footage shows the yobs approaching Mr Price’s home on Oval Road North in Dagenham, East London, on July 27 last year.
One youth can be seen climbing onto a wall to throw a firework through a blocked off window before running away.
Paramedics and fire fighters had to force their way into the property and found the occupant’s body.
Mr Price was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem gave his cause of death as inhalation of fire fumes and burns.
Nathan Otitodilchukwu, 18, and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were jailed on Monday after previously admitting manslaughter.
Otitodilchukwu was given a six-year jail term, the unnamed teen was sentenced to two years and eight months.
Mr Price’s heartbroken family said in a statement yesterday: “We are grateful 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.”
The two killers had tried to hurl a firework into the same home earlier that day but ran when Mr Price opened the door.
When they returned shortly after, the 16-year-old can be heard saying “come with me, come with me” and then “gonna f***ing torch this n****”, the Old Bailey heard previously.
They ran into the front garden before the unnamed teen managed to punch a hole in the window boardings, the court heard.
Otitodilchukwu is heard on Ring doorbell footage saying: “Gonna f***ing torch this n*****”, “Yo, you f***ing paedo”, “yo you f***ing d***head” and “We are gonna f**k you up”, before running away.
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC said: “A loud bang can be heard, followed by high-pitched laughing as the group run away.”
During the sentencing, Judge Rebecca Trowler KC told the younger boy: “Mr Price lost his life in circumstances of a planned attack where I am sure you intended some harm, and in any event it was highly reckless as to the risk of harm.”
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, from Specialist Crime North, said: “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.
“I hope Robert’s family can take some solace in this outcome and am pleased the defendants spared them the ordeal of a trial.
“I would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for their initial response and the fire investigation which followed.”
Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
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