Thugs burn dad to death using flare
A CARING dad who was trying to keep in contact with his kids following a family split was horrifically burned to death by two teenage thugs.
Vilson Meshi, a car wash boss from Glossop, had been sleeping in his Audi as he travelled down to see his children from a previous relationship. But he was targeted by thugs who threw a stolen distress flare – normally used by ships – into his vehicle as he slept, causing a furious blaze which saw the dad choke to death.
Now Keani Hobbs, 18, and a 16-yearold boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been found guilty of manslaughter after a trial.
The 31-year-old dad-of-three, originally from Albania, had parked his Audi A4 in Basildon, Essex, to sleep overnight before seeing his ex-partner and his children the following day.
Chelmsford crown court heard how he died of inhaling fire fumes on February 27, 2016, after a flare was thrown into his car.
Hobbs, of Stagden Cross, Pitsea, Essex; and the 16-year-old, of Camberwell, London, were also convicted of the theft of marine flares from a docked boat.
Paul Scothern, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “A marine distress flare burns at an incredibly high temperature and the consequence of throwing a lit flare into an enclosed space such as the car where Mr Meshi was asleep was shocking – tragically he died as a result.”
During the trial, the 16-year-old gave evidence in his own defence and said Hobbs was responsible for Mr Meshi’s death.
Hobbs did not give evidence but a statement she made in her police interview where she denied the allegations was read to the court.
Mr Meshi’s parents, Islam and Drita Meshi, said their son was ‘cruelly, unnecessarily and mindlessly killed.’
“Vilson is dead below the ground but we are dead above the ground, our hearts are broken,” they added.
Mr Meshi’s car wash business was based on the car park of the Tesco in Glossop. The two defendants are due to be sentenced today.