Man set fire to friend in arson attack

A BUTANE gas canister was pierced by a knife and sprayed at a man by his violent neighbour who then set him alight for using his crack pipe.

- PHILIP DEWEY

Craig Dowding

The victim suffered major burns to his body and was later hit in the head with a knife by his neighbour, causing a 15cm wound to his head.

Craig Dowding, 34, committed two horrific assaults on Robert Eddington, which left him with serious injuries including burns to 6.5% of his body. They lived near each other and became friends, but their relationship changed when the defendant took offence at the victim using his crack pipe.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard the two were socialising at Mr Eddington's home in Newport on May 14 when Dowding lost his temper and turned on the victim. He punched Mr Eddington dozens of times before picking up a butane gas canister, stabbing it with a knife and squirting it at the victim's lap.