Oxford graduate who set fire to friend's clothes 'as a prank' jailed for a year

An Oxford University graduate who set fire to a friend's trousers as part of a drunken prank has been jailed for 12 months.

Successful businessman David Crowther, 36, had drunk a 'great deal of ale' and was celebrating a new job when he hatched a plan to pour methylated spirits over victim Gary Baker, 46.

The county council worker had fallen asleep during a house party, but awoke to find his right leg in flames and Crowther sniggering nearby.

Chester Crown Court heard that Mr Baker tried to douse the fire, before leaving the party, at Crowther's flat, and calling an ambulance.

He suffered five per cent burns and spent a fortnight in the specialist burns unit of Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

He has since undergone a skin graft and is permanently scarred from the incident.

Yesterday Crowther's barrister, Patrick Thompson, told the court that his client's career was in tatters because of a 'prank which had gone horribly wrong.'

He said Crowther, head of European operations for a multinational firm, was 'terrified' of going to prison and had never intended to cause Mr Baker serious harm.

Judge Elgan Edwards, QC, jailed Crowther for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.

'To pour methylated spirits on a sleeping man as a joke, then to set fire to him causing very serious injuries to his legs, and then afterwards to be sniggering at him, is quite disgraceful,' the judge said.

'Drink is no excuse. You let yourself down in a most shameful way.'

The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of February 3 this year.

Crowther, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, had recently won a promotion to head of European operations with his company and was holding a leaving party, before moving to Holland the next day.

He invited a few friends, including Mr Baker, also of Macclesfield, back to his flat in the town at 12.30am.

Mr Baker had two glasses of wine but because he was tired soon fell fast asleep on a sofa in the front room.

Simon Parry, prosecuting, said: 'He (Baker) was woken with a start in the early hours.
'He could feel a burning sensation on his right leg and saw flames coming from the fabric of his right trouser leg.

'He could smell burning skin and methylated spirits. He became aware that Crowther ...(was) laughing and sniggering at the predicament he was in.

'He felt extreme pain, and was shouting for help. He was told to ‘stop ****ing  moaning.'

'Crowther then went and got a damp towel for Mr Baker, and put it on his leg.'

Mr Parry said the incident had left Baker afraid of fire and he had suffered 'financial hardship' as a result of his injuries.

Mr Thompson, defending Crowther, admitted his client's actions were idiotic and reckless, but claimed he had only intended to set fire to Mr Baker's trousers, not his leg.

'A great deal of ale was consumed at the party, and a plan was hatched out of stupidity and drunkenness, with the intention of having a bit of fun,' Mr Thompson said.

'Mr Crowther did not intend to cause any serious harm.'

Mr Thompson said Crowther had graduated with a degree from Oxford University and been successful all his working life.

'He will lose everything he has spent his life working for,' Mr Thompson added.