A man who caused an explosion that destroyed his own home and extensively damaged five neighbouring properties has been jailed for 11 years at Derby Crown Court.
Following the breakdown of his relationship with his partner, Paul Solway disconnected the gas main in the basement of his home in Eden Street, Alvaston, Derby, and then set fire to a chair in his kitchen which created a blast which entirely destroyed his own property and very extensively damaged neighbouring buildings.
The incident left Mr Solway seriously injured in hospital, led to the demolition of two adjoining houses, and forced many neighbours to leave their homes for several days.
Paul Raudnitz KC was instructed as counsel for the Crown from the outset of the case. He advised on the complex expert evidence which established Mr Solway’s guilt.
Mr Solway ultimately pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial in January.
Sentencing him to 11 years’ imprisonment, HHJ Shaun Smith KC said: "What you did in the end was you affected your community, your own little community on that street. Not one of them escaped the consequences really of what you did that night."
The case has been featured in national press:
Paul Raudnitz KC