Overview
- Stephen Dale was convicted of manslaughter and arson and was sentenced to 19 years with a five-year extended licence at Birmingham Crown Court, with parole considered after two thirds of the term.
- The fire began when petrol was poured on the front door of Daniel Gardner’s flat and ignited, leaving him with no escape and causing his death in the blaze on 19 September last year.
- Dale recruited 19-year-old Tyler Phythian to assist; Phythian was convicted of arson, cleared of homicide, and given four years’ detention with release possible after about 40% of the sentence.
- The judge recorded that Dale had accepted his partner’s claims that Gardner mistreated a child but found no evidence to support those allegations and concluded Dale’s purpose was to frighten or harm rather than to kill.
- CCTV, petrol‑purchase footage and witness evidence linked the men to the attack and investigators said the blaze posed serious risk to residents after flames spread up the narrow stairwell and neighbours were evacuated.