Man who cut gas pipe and caused explosion jailed

Emergency services were called to the blast in January 2024

A man who deliberately cut through a gas pipe, causing an explosion in his ground floor flat, has been jailed.

Leicestershire Police said William Patrick sustained significant burns in the blast and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to his council flat in Kelbrook Close, Leicester, on 24 January 2024.

The 33-year-old admitted his involvement to police once he was discharged from hospital and was jailed for four years and three months at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Det Con Kevin Sharkey said: "The circumstances of this incident were complex but Patrick's actions ultimately put people's lives at risk of serious harm and could have been fatal."

The force said the explosion blew out the front door and windows as well damaging an internal wall and dislodging radiators.

It also caused damage to security doors and ceiling tiles inside the communal building.

Patrick, the sole occupant of the flat, then made his way outside with "significant" burns and was taken to hospital.

Police said the explosion caused the front windows to be blown out into the street

On his discharge from hospital, Patrick, now of Samson Road, Leicester, admitted to police in interview to deliberately cutting through the flat's main gas pipe.

He told officers he waited about 30 minutes before using a lighter to ignite the gas despite hearing only moments before, his neighbour shout there was gas and to evacuate.

The Crown Prosecution Service concluded his actions were reckless in endangering lives and he was subsequently charged.

Patrick pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at a previous hearing.

Det Con Sharkey, the investigating officer in the case, said: "Patrick himself suffered serious injury and he also left many neighbours terrified, several families displaced from their homes, and caused thousands of pounds of damage to council-owned property."