A scaffolder from Essex, Dale Carter, was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm after a fire incident at a pub in Suffolk. The incident occurred when Carter poured liquid fuel onto a lit tabletop heater at the King’s Head pub, resulting in a fireball explosion that injured two women. The cousins, April and Ashleigh Charlesworth, suffered burns to their faces, chests, and hands during the incident.
During the trial at Ipswich Crown Court, it was revealed that the group was outside the pub on a chilly evening when Carter poured ethanol onto the lit heater, causing a significant flame. Although Carter denied purposely trying to harm anyone, the prosecution alleged that he had been careless and reckless by pouring fuel into the open heater, leading to the explosion.
Witnesses testified that Carter had poured fuel on the heater twice, with the second attempt resulting in a dangerous fireball that caused injuries to the victims. Despite the severity of the incident, Carter maintained that his intention was only to refuel the heater and that he was not seeking to create a spectacle or show off.
The injured women, April and Ashleigh, spent several days in the hospital receiving treatment for their burns. Carter himself also suffered burns to his face and required medical attention. The court proceedings revealed differing accounts of the incident, with witnesses describing the chaos and injuries caused by the fireball explosion.
Ultimately, after a four-day trial, a jury unanimously found Dale Carter not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm. The court acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but considered it a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act of harm. Carter expressed remorse for the consequences of his actions and was relieved when the verdict was delivered, signaling the end of the legal proceedings.
