A grief-stricken son has been jailed for setting fire to his father’s home following a dispute over his mother’s ashes.
Samat Sapaun was high on a number of drugs when he launched the arson attack, fleeing from the bungalow in Sheldon after setting fire to his father Mohammed Singh’s favourite armchair.
“You were his carer and you set fire to what was his favourite armchair as a way of getting back at him.”
At the time, the victim was preparing to go to bed. His pet dog raised the alarm by barking, affording Mohammed the opportunity to extinguish the flames.
The defendant, who was his father’s primary carer, was rowing with the older man over his mother’s ashes, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
The 37-year-old, who resided with his father in Downsfield Road, Sheldon, was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars, following an admission of arson with intent and assault.
Judge Nicholas, who passed the sentence, said: “Mohammed Singh was your intended target in respect of the arson as a result of a long-standing dispute between you and your father, sadly relating to your deceased mother.
“You were his carer and you set fire to what was his favourite armchair as a way of getting back at him.
He returned to the bungalow later that night
and punched and kicked his father after demanding
to know the location of the ashes.
“The risk of death or serious injury was all too obvious.
“You had taken a cocktail of drugs on the evening in question.”
Samat, who was also handed an indefinite restraining order, returned to the bungalow later that night and punched and kicked his father after demanding to know the location of the ashes.
The judge accepted the incident was an isolated act and acknowledged that Samat had shown remorse for his actions.
