In a dramatic scene that seems straight out of an action film, a teenage arsonist was caught on CCTV fleeing the site of a car blaze in Brackla—while on fire himself! Taran Mills, 18, and his accomplice Ellis Lloyd, 19, thought they’d get away with setting a woman’s Audi Q5 alight, but their getaway wasn’t so smooth. The fire, which spread to a neighbour’s Citroen C4, caused thousands of pounds in damage and left a trail of fear.
The shocking footage was played at Cardiff Crown Court during the duo’s sentencing. It showed Mills wielding a hammer and Lloyd carrying a petrol canister. They smashed the Audi’s window and set it ablaze, only to be caught on camera running off into the night, Lloyd’s jacket ignited by the flames they had sparked.
As the cars burned, a mum was left terrified, rushing her six-year-old daughter out of their home in the dead of night, fearing the fire would spread to their house. The trauma left her terrified and unable to sleep, haunted by her daughter’s frightened eyes.
Both teens were paid a mere £500 to carry out the attack, aiming to cause chaos without a clear motive. During the trial, Lloyd’s defence revealed he was homeless and struggling financially, while Mills expressed remorse, battling with learning difficulties and ADHD.
Lloyd was sentenced to 44 months in prison, while Mills received a suspended sentence of 24 months, with both banned from contacting the victims for five years. The unsettling incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can be upended by a single reckless act. Stay safe out there!