Angry man burned down neighbour's £70k garden room amid row over lawn

THE WELL-MEANING VICTIM HAD CUT MAN'S GRASS FOR HIM WHILE HE WAS AWAY SERVING A PRISON SENTENCE

- By PETER CRAIG and MARK NAYLOR

AN AGGRESSIVE neighbour callously repaid the kindness of a well-meaning Good Samaritan who thoughtfully cut his rear lawn for him by burning down the man's £70,000 garden room.

The neighbour suddenly discovered the blaze and desperately tried to use a hosepipe to put the flames out but it was too late and the fire was out of control. Another neighbour's fence was also damaged when the bonfire got out of control and spread, causing a risk to lives, a court heard.

Jack Suddaby, 34, of Downs Crescent, off Priory Road, Hull, admitted an offence of arson, being reckless as to whether the lives of others were endangered. He also admitted arson by damaging the other neighbour's fence panels on February 22.

David Godfrey, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the neighbours had previously had a decent relationship over the years but, when Suddaby returned to his property after a short time in prison, he noticed that his rear garden lawn had been cut by the kindly neighbour. Instead of gratitude, he showed aggression and told him off.

At about 6.45pm, Suddaby started a bonfire, played loud music and was drinking as he sat by the fire.

The neighbour went to bed in his garden room that evening and believed that the bonfire had been put out. But more fuel had been put on the fire and an orange glow could be seen over the fence.