Man jailed after petrol bomb thrown at Rotherham home with baby and children inside
A man has been jailed after a petrol bomb was thrown at a Rotherham home where seven people, including an 11-month-old baby and two children, were inside.
Emergency services were called to a house fire on Warwick Street in Moorgate in the early hours of Saturday (Nov 25).
All seven occupants of the property, including two children and an 11-month-old baby, managed to escape.
However, one occupant suffered serious leg injuries after having to jump from the property.
Early police enquiries established that the fire had been started deliberately and Rotherham CID launched an arson investigation.
Detectives carried out extensive CCTV enquiries which uncovered footage showing a group of people arriving nearby in a taxi before a petrol bomb was thrown at the property.
Further CCTV footage showed Jamal Usman at a nearby petrol station getting into a taxi destined for Warwick Street.
Police also made enquiries with local taxi companies, which identified Usman as being part of a group of people who booked subsequent journeys away from the Moorgate area.
The investigation led to Usman's arrest.
Usman, 23, of HMP Doncaster, was subsequently charged with arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered and pleaded guilty to the offence.
He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (Aug 28), where he was handed an extended sentence of six years and four months, with a three-year extended licence period.
Two other people remain wanted in connection with the offence and police said they will continue to pursue them.
Detective Sergeant Chris Byne, of Rotherham CID, said:
"I want to praise the victims' in this case who have supported our investigation from the outset, their bravery and determination to see justice served played a big role in this result.
"Usman showed a shocking lack of humanity, having a complete and utter disregard for the safety of those inside the house he targeted. It was only from the help of neighbours who attended with ladders that the occupants managed to escape, and it is frankly a miracle that no lives were lost.
“This incident happened almost three years and we have relentlessly pursued lines of enquiry to ensure justice was served. There are two people who still are wanted in relation to this offence. No matter where they are, we will continue to pursue them and bring them before the courts."