Fire attack man jailed
A Walsall man who set fire to his former friend, turning him into a fireball, was today jailed for an indefinite period.
Adam Brotherton, aged 22, who was a self-styled angel of death, will serve 10 years before he can apply for parole.
He marched Ian Smith, aged 24, at knifepoint to Park Lime Pits in Rushall, stabbed him, doused him in petrol and set him alight in July last year. A jury took just 90 minutes to convict him of attempted murder.
Judge Robin Onions, sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, today said his imprisonment was for public protection.
Brotherton, of Lichfield Road, will be released only when a parole board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk.
Judge Onions said: "Ian Smith showed you nothing but friendship.
"I have no doubt you resented Mr Smith, you thought you were better than him.
"Ian Smith had learning difficulties, but he had the one thing you cherished – a place to live. It was clear your intention was to kill him. The act was chilling in conception and remorseless in execution."
In a statement Ian Smith told how his quality of life had been shattered.
He said: "Before it happened I loved gardening, fishing and riding on my bike. I used to go to the gym and I could cook for myself."
"Now I can't enjoy life and I am very restricted in what I can do."
Judge Onions praised the bravery of Mr Smith and the investigation by Walsall police.
