Burns victim chased arson threat man with axe handle

A BURNS victim attacked a burglar with a pickaxe handle after he threatened to set fire to his home.

Jason Arro, 23, has been terrified of fire since he suffered life-threatening burns when a barbecue exploded in his back garden six years ago.

He acted "on impulse" when he confronted a man trying to break into his shed.

After the burglar threatened to "burn his house down", Arro chased him through the streets of the Great Thornton Street estate, west Hull, with the pickaxe handle.

He was later seen on CCTV hitting the victim on his legs with the weapon inside a block of flats, before running outside into the path of two police officers.

Arro's barrister, Patricia Doherty, said: "He saw somebody trying to break into his shed, which is why he went out with that particular item.

"The trigger for this was when he said about burning his house down.

"He has numerous scars on him as a result of that barbecue. He does have a fear of fire because of the injuries he has suffered."

Police officers, who were passing the scene, saw Arro running from the flats with the weapon.

Prosecutor John Thackray said: "He started to run away and the officers gave chase.

"He then turned around and held the weapon up to the officers.

"Worried and scared, the female officer began taking steps back before the man ran away."

Police searched his home two days later and found the pickaxe handle.

Arro told officers: "It's not like he was a law-abiding citizen."

The victim, whose identity is not known, did not make any complaint to police and it is unknown whether he was injured in the attack.

Arro has had nine operations to treat the burns, which covered 65 per cent of his body, and is awaiting further surgery at Pinderfields Hospital's specialist burns unit.

He almost died when the barbecue exploded in the garden of his home in Wellsted Street in 2007. It is believed a form of accelerant was used to light the barbecue.

Ms Doherty said: "He is truly sorry and remorseful. He has 65 per cent burns to his body and, although that is nobody's fault but his own, that is something he has to live with.

"He has numerous scars on his body and has had nine operations and is awaiting another.

"He wasn't thinking rationally and acted on impulse. He has suffered since his accident, he is disabled and can't work.

"He regrets very much the fact the female officer who happened to come on the scene was scared.

"His mother has asked for him to engage with an anger management course to address his issues around fire."

Arro admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon on April 13 when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.

He was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

Judge Simon Jack said: "This was completely unacceptable behaviour.

"I have read about the injuries you suffered and anybody can understand that must have been very distressing and there may be psychological consequences that make it difficult to cope in certain situations.

"However, the sort of behaviour you indulged in cannot be tolerated.

"We can't have people running around in public with weapons and threatening people.

"There has to be a prison sentence for this but, in the circumstances, I can suspend that sentence."

Judge Jack also ordered Arro to take part in the Chance to Change programme, run by Humberside Probation Trust.