2002: SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR ARSON ATTACK
A convicted sex offender who was assaulted in public attempted to set his residence on fire as a cry for help, Worcester Crown Court was told.Derrick Groom pushed a newspaper through the letterbox of his ground-floor apartment and ignited it, then falsely claimed he was the victim of an arson attack.
However, when questioned by police, he stated he had been watching television at the time — but no television was found inside his flat.
The front page of the newspaper was located elsewhere within the building, prosecutor Nicolas Cartwright explained.
The fire in a four-flat block on Blakemore Close, Newton Farm, Hereford, was extinguished by Groom using a fire extinguisher after it triggered a smoke alarm and caused him to panic.
An upstairs resident with a child and a nearby couple, who was sleeping, were unaffected.
The damage was limited to Groom’s front door and curtains.
According to his defender Simon Davies, Groom was under significant stress following an injury and harassment, which included an assault that left him scarred.
His mobility scooter had also been stolen.
Groom, who previously served time for sex offenses in 1991 and had a history of bomb hoax incidents dating back to the 1970s, is 45 years old.
He pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether it endangered life and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Judge Michael Mott described Groom as a "fairly dangerous" individual and cited his personality disorders as reasons for protecting the public.
The judge also extended his prison license for three years after his release.
The fire was started on February 4 around 11 p.m., and Groom told police he intended to commit suicide.
His past includes setting fire to a bail hostel toilet in 1988.
He had received threatening phone calls and had stones thrown at his windows.
His lawyer noted that Groom’s actions were a desperate attempt at seeking help.
He also acknowledged Groom was remorseful for endangering others.
Groom, a churchgoer, suffers from various health issues and is a shy person who struggles to form relationships.
His seven-year marriage ended two years prior, and he has attempted suicide multiple times by cutting his wrists and overdosing.
A psychiatrist who evaluated him explained that Groom tends to react in extreme ways under stress, especially when he feels unable to cope.
