Teenager Faces Trial Over Alleged Arson Attack on Grandmother's Home
A teenage woman is currently on trial at Cardiff Crown Court, accused of starting a devastating fire at the home of an 82-year-old grandmother in what prosecutors have described as a targeted attack connected to a significant drug debt.
The Alleged Incident and Charges
Storm Truman, aged 19 and from Weston-super-Mare, has been charged with committing arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. She has entered a plea of not guilty to this serious charge. The alleged incident occurred at a terraced property on Protheroe Street in Ferndale, located within the Rhondda Valley, on July 28 of last year.
The fire led to the evacuation of several neighbouring properties. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, though the targeted house was completely destroyed in the blaze.
Prosecution's Case: A Targeted Attack
Prosecutor Marian Lewis told the court that this was not an accidental fire but rather a deliberately set blaze. She stated, "This was a targeted attack carried out in the early hours of the morning when it was highly likely someone would have been asleep inside the house."
The prosecution alleges that the motive stemmed from a drug debt owed by the homeowner's grandson, Gavin Ford, to an organised crime gang based in Weston-super-Mare. According to Ms Lewis, the group travelled to Ferndale seeking retribution for the unpaid debt, specifically targeting the home of Gavin Ford's grandmother, Carol Ford.
Impact on the Victim
Carol Ford, an 82-year-old widow, had been living in her Protheroe Street home for 61 years. The court heard that her residence was filled with a lifetime of possessions and memories. Ms Lewis described the profound impact, noting, "She lost everything, she could have lost her life."
Due to poor mobility, Mrs Ford had been sleeping downstairs in her home for the past two years, making her particularly vulnerable during the early morning attack. The prosecutor emphasised that her home was a place where she felt safe and had hoped to live out her days peacefully.
Alleged Involvement and Co-defendants
The prosecution's case outlines that five individuals were involved in the incident. According to Ms Lewis, Storm Truman's alleged role was as an accessory, specifically as one of the drivers who transported the perpetrators to and from the scene. She is accused of driving two of the men, Alfie Wheeler and Auryn Gustur, to Ferndale.
The court has heard that three other individuals have already pleaded guilty to related charges:
- Alfie Wheeler, Auryn Gustur, and Connor Pitt have pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.
- Lewis Manito has pleaded guilty to arson being reckless whether life was endangered and to perverting the course of justice by disposing of the vehicle he drove.
Ms Lewis argued that the incident "couldn't have happened without her because she drove them there," highlighting the alleged significance of Truman's role in facilitating the attack.
Background and Threats
Further background presented to the court revealed that threats had been made prior to the fire. Mrs Ford's former daughter-in-law, who is the mother of Gavin Ford, reportedly received threatening messages on her phone in the days leading up to the arson attack.
The case continues to unfold at Cardiff Crown Court as the prosecution presents its evidence against Storm Truman, focusing on her alleged involvement in this serious and calculated crime that left an elderly woman without her home and possessions.
