Elderly man tormented for years before fatal fire in Dagenham
Two teenagers have been locked up after a cruel firework attack claimed the life of a vulnerable pensioner in east London. Robert Price, 76, died in a house fire deliberately started by two local youths who had tormented him for years.
Nathan Otitodilchukwu, 18, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named, launched the fatal firework through Mr Price’s boarded-up window on a summer evening in July 2024. The blast sparked a fire that trapped the pensioner inside his home in Dagenham, despite desperate attempts by a neighbour to save him.
CCTV showed the teens laughing as they approached the property, having earlier filmed themselves setting off fireworks in a park. Wearing hoodies and covering their faces, they crept into Mr Price’s garden where the younger boy stood on a gas meter box and punched a hole in the boards covering the window. Moments later, he fed the lit firework inside.
Final moments captured on chilling footage
Doorbell footage captured Otitodilchukwu hurling abuse outside the home, including racial slurs and accusations that Mr Price was a “paedo”. Seconds later, the sound of the explosion rang out — followed by high-pitched laughter as the boys ran off into the night.
Within minutes, thick black smoke was pouring from the house. Firefighters battled to get inside, but the pensioner was found dead. A post-mortem confirmed he died from smoke inhalation.
Years of harassment led to tragedy
Mr Price had long been a target for local abuse. A friend told the court he rarely left his house because “kids would disturb him”. Just three days before his death, a brick was thrown through his window. He’d taken to boarding up his home for protection.
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC said Mr Price’s life had been made a “living hell”. The court heard how Otitodilchukwu later told a care worker, “I’m going to do 20 years in jail”, and asked a woman not to reveal he’d been in Dagenham. He reportedly added: “Maybe I started the fire with a firework.”
Sentencing brings little comfort for grieving family
At the Old Bailey, Judge Rebecca Trowler jailed Otitodilchukwu for six years. The younger boy, described as having shown some remorse, was sentenced to two years and eight months. The judge noted that while the attack may not have been intended to kill, it clearly aimed to harm Mr Price, who died alone in the home he felt too afraid to leave.
Mr Price’s family said he was “kind and generous”, while his community remembered a man let down by the systems meant to protect him. The fatal attack has raised fresh questions over how vulnerable residents are safeguarded in their own homes.
