Jack Gornall (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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An 18-year-old who set fire to his bedroom in a shared house while three other people were inside has been sentenced to four years in a Young Offender Institution.
Jack Gornall, of no fixed abode, admitted to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, sending malicious communications, threatening a person with a knife, assault by beating, and shoplifting. The charges related to four separate incidents between October 2024 and November last year.
The blaze
In the early hours of November 17 last year, Gornall lit a fire in his room at a property on Mansel Street in Carmarthen, which was run by the charity Stori Cymru as shared accommodation. He then locked and barricaded his bedroom door before climbing out of a first-floor window.
Three other residents were living in the house at the time. One was asleep in their room and had to be rescued by police officers, while two of those officers were later treated for smoke inhalation. The fire service attended and extinguished the blaze, which caused extensive damage estimated at £130,000.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court that Gornall had carried out internet searches about accelerants in the week leading up to the fire, though none were found to have been used. He had also gone out shortly beforehand to purchase cigarettes and a lighter from a nearby petrol station.
The court heard Gornall had been told before starting the fire that a family member had allegedly been the victim of a serious crime. He had also called police to attend the property before setting it alight.
Knife threat in Llandysul
On January 8, 2025, Gornall approached a car on Heol-Y-Neuadd in Llandysul and produced a kitchen knife after noticing one of the people inside. He waved the eight-inch blade through the car window, leaving the occupants “frightened.” When he attempted to open the vehicle’s door, the driver sped away and contacted police.
Abusive calls to sister
On October 13, 2024, Gornall repeatedly tried to reach his sister by calling her child’s phone after she had blocked his number. When she eventually answered, Mr Pulling said he “got angry,” threatened to contact social services to have her child removed, and called her a “w****” before she ended the call.
Shoplifting and assault
On October 27 last year, Gornall concealed two bottles of Stella in his pockets at the Lidl store in Carmarthen. After being challenged, he became aggressive towards staff and a member of the public, and assaulted a member of staff.
Guilty pleas and sentencing
Gornall, represented by Ryan Bowen, entered early guilty pleas to all offences. Judge Catherine Richards sentenced him to four years in a Young Offender Institution.
