A 17-year-old Nigerian boy, Nathan Otitodilichukwu, has been sentenced to six years in a UK prison for manslaughter after the death of 76-year-old Robert Price, a pensioner killed by a firework thrown into his home.
According to the UK Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred on July 27, 2024, in Dagenham, East London. Otitodilichukwu and another teenage boy initially approached Price’s house with a firecracker but fled when the man confronted them. They later returned, and Otitodilichukwu was seen on CCTV climbing onto a gas meter to throw a lit firework through the window.
“There was a loud bang, followed by the laughter of the defendants as they ran from the scene,” the police said in a statement.
Emergency services arrived quickly, but Price was found dead. A post-mortem revealed that he died from smoke inhalation and burns.
Otitodilichukwu was arrested within two days. Clothing seized from him matched CCTV footage from the crime scene. His arrest led to the identification and capture of the second teen, who has received a prison sentence of two years and eight months.
Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Clarke, who led the investigation, described the case as heartbreaking.
“I hope Robert’s family can take some solace in this outcome, and I am pleased the defendants spared them the ordeal of a trial,” Clarke stated.
The court heard that both teenagers pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which helped avoid the emotional burden of a trial for the family of the victim.
Article updated 3 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
