Leon Morris (Image: Gwent Police)
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A racist who petrol bombed an Indian restaurant in a “revenge attack” while 10 people – including two children – slept in bedrooms above has been jailed for six years.
Leon Morris, 38, of Commercial Street, Aberbargoed, Caerphilly, launched the arson attack on Pengam Spice in the Pengam area of Blackwood during the early hours of Friday, August 15 last summer.
The argument
Newport Crown Court heard Morris had been drinking heavily when he got into a dispute with restaurant owner Mohammed Nasrum Mazumder, accusing him of bumping into his truck on a nearby street.
Morris hurled vile racist abuse at Mr Mazumder during the confrontation and damaged the key to his vehicle after pulling it from the ignition.
Police were called and the matter was resolved with Morris being issued a community resolution order to pay for the broken key.
But during the row, Morris had made a chilling warning to the restaurateur: “You watch, you watch – in flames!”
The attack
Morris followed through on his threat shortly afterwards. He drove his truck to a petrol station, bought fuel and poured some into an empty milkshake bottle before hurling the makeshift petrol bomb at the restaurant’s extension.
Above the extension were bedrooms housing eight members of staff and two children.
Prosecutor James Evans told the court: “The defendant threw a petrol bomb and he accepts it was a revenge attack. There was a significant risk of physical harm.”
The petrol bomb caused only minor damage and firefighters did not need to extinguish any flames after being called to the scene as a precaution.
Defence arguments
Andrew Taylor, defending Morris, said: “This was a minor dispute which escalated out of all control. He genuinely believed there was no one at the premises that night and that no one was living there. It is fortuitous for Mazumder and others that no real damage was caused to this property and the fire brigade were only called out of precaution.”
Sentencing
Morris was found guilty by a jury of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He had nine previous convictions for 16 offences including public order, drug possession and drink driving matters.
Judge Daniel Williams told him: “You were very, very drunk. You made vile racist threats to your victim before you later made good those threats by throwing a petrol bomb. The consequences of a fire taking hold could have been catastrophic.”
The judge added: “There was only modest damage caused but that was only by sheer good fortune. Multiple people were in danger because of your mindless act. It was racially aggravated and your threats were racist.”
Morris was jailed for six years and made the subject of a 10-year restraining order not to contact Mr Mazumder.
