A man from Cleethorpes has been jailed after pouring petrol on another man and setting him on fire during a violent incident in Grimsby.
Ryan Tomney, 29, was sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 May, following a shocking attack on Sunday, 24 April 2022, that left his victim with serious burns.
Emergency services were called to a flat on Heneage Road after Tomney set it alight while two people were inside. Both managed to escape, but one man was chased down the street by Tomney, who doused him in petrol and set him alight. The victim sustained significant burns and was rushed to a specialist burns unit for treatment.
Tomney also torched a car during the incident, which was completely destroyed.
CCTV footage helped identify Tomney, and officers attempted to arrest him four days later. In an effort to evade capture, he climbed onto the roof of his home, where he caused extensive damage to nearby properties by throwing roof tiles and starting several fires.
He was arrested on Friday, 29 April, and later charged with attempted murder. He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and arson with intent to endanger life.
Tomney was sentenced to life on licence and must serve a minimum of eight years before becoming eligible for parole.
Officer in the case Detective Constable Scott Jackson said: “Tomney is a violent individual who attended the flat with one motive – to cause significant harm.
“The value of damage caused to the flat at St Luke’s Court totalled over £15,000, but that is nothing compared to the suffering caused to the man injured in the incident.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who tried to assist the man with his injuries before emergency services arrived, not knowing the significant damage that had already been caused.
“Tomney was completely reckless, and I am reassured that he is now behind bars and no longer poses a risk to the wider community.
“I hope this sentencing serves as a stark warning to anyone else considering committing such horrendous crimes.”
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.