Arsonist who killed gran gets 13 years

AN ARSONIST has been sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison after killing a frail grandmother in a fire in Yorkshire.

Tyler Flanagan was sentenced for the manslaughter of Julia Flynn, 74, who died after he torched her home in Huddersfield, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

The 20-year-old was “roaming the streets looking for things to steal and cause damage” on the night of June 17, the court heard through a video link, which was also played in Leeds Crown Court.

At around 11.30pm, he spotted Ms Flynn’s Leeds Road home, which had two grab rails and shallow steps outside to assist the pensioner, who was too weak to go upstairs and slept on the ground floor, said prosecutor Chloe Hudson.

After torching it, Flanagan cycled to Huddersfield Road where he set fire to an out-house at another property, which was put out by fire crews.

He went to another home and was caught on CCTV trying doors before going on to steal a radio from a Renault Clio and also damaged the vehicle in a fire.

He was stopped by police in Huddersfield Road and found to have black gloves, a knife and a lighter on him.

On the first day of his trial in December last year, he admitted manslaughter, arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, two counts of arson damaging property, attempted burglary, having a blade and criminal damage.

He was acquitted of murder and arson with intent to endanger life after a subsequent trial. His will begin his sentence in a young offender institution.