Dale Francis and Daniel Tatters have never revealed why they drove 50 miles to the home of Akashdeep Singh and torched the property, killing him and injuring his elderly mother
Two men have been caged for life for murdering a takeaway owner in a horror arson attack on his family home.
Relatives of Akashdeep Singh, 26, described the firebombing as an “act of pure evil”. Dale Francis, 37, and Daniel Tatters, 26, have never given a reason for torching Akashdeep’s home. But their five-week murder trial was told they may have targeted the property by mistake.
Tragic Akashdeep made a chilling 999 call pleading for help after his home in the East Park area of Wolverhampton went up in flames last June.
He died in the inferno and his elderly mother was left with life-changing injuries after being badly burned.
Francis and Tatters, drove 50 miles from their home town of Stoke-on-Trent to carry out the attack. Akashdeep’s killer had made several previous “background” journeys to Wolverhampton before the pair struck.
Hooded Tatters was caught on CCTV smashing the front window of the house moments before the blaze.
He then lit flammable liquid, engulfing the living room of the house in flames which quickly spread upstairs.
His DNA was found on a lighter dropped at the scene.
Francis acted as a driver and look-out and claimed he was not aware of the plan to torch the property.
Tatters visited Royal Stoke University Hospital about two-and-a-half hours after the arson for treatment for cuts to his fingers.
But he told jurors that he had never been to Wolverhampton and cut his hand on a glass pane while falling over in his garden.
The pair were convicted of murder, arson with intent to endanger life and attempting to murder other family members.
Tatters was handed a mandatory life term today and told he must serve at least 34 years behind bars.
Francis was given a minimum term of 36 years by Mr Justice Wall at Wolverhampton crown court.
The judge told them their “appalling criminality” killed Akashdeep and had a “catastrophic” effect on his family.
He added: “The family are now all traumatised by the death of Akashdeep Singh.
“I am sure you intended to kill anyone who found themselves in the house at the time of the fire.”
“There has been no reason advanced as to why this family was to be murdered in this way.
“The family themselves has no comprehension as to why it happened.”
In a victim impact statement, Akashdeep’s family said the arson attack was an act of “pure evil” meant for someone else.
They said it had left them suffering “unimaginable” pain and suffering.
Jenny Birch, of West Midlands Police, said: “This was a callous and unprovoked attack on people who were asleep in the safety of their own home.
“Both these men played their part in this tragic event and both are accountable for the awful consequences.
“Whilst we know that nothing will ever bring Akashdeep back, we hope that knowing those involved will answer for the consequences of their actions will provide some solace to his family and friends.
“Our thoughts remain with Akashdeep’s family who continue to try to come to terms with their loss as well as their own injuries.”