Horror as man set alight
Sep 30 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
AMAN was fighting for his life last night after suffering horrific burns following an attack in which he was set on fire.
Ashley Stephen Robinson, 28, remained in a medically induced coma after he was attacked in a garage block behind Pendle Close, just off Pennine Drive, in Peterlee, County Durham, shortly before 3pm on Sunday.
Emergency services were called by a member of public who had found Mr Robinson, who lives in the nearby village of Horden, with extensive burns.
He was initially taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital but was later switched to the specialist burns unit of the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
A cordon was put up around the scene of the attack as forensic investigations were carried out and evidence was collected.
Detective Inspector Steve Chapman, of Peterlee CID, said witnesses were needed to unearth vital clues about Mr Robinson’s movements leading up to the incident.
He said: “We know the victim left his parents’ home in Cotswold Place in Peterlee shortly before 7pm on Saturday with the intention of socialising in the town.
“He spent time in The Lodge and went on to the adjoining Vibe nightclub, leaving about 2.30am on Sunday morning.
“We need to piece together his movements over the next 12 hours and would like to talk to anyone who was with or has seen him during that time. We have yet to establish a motive for this attack but at some stage he appears to have been set on fire and his clothing may have been alight for some time before he was found and the alarm raised.”
Three local men, one in his late teens and the others in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and are currently being held at Peterlee police station for questioning.
The attack has shattered the peace in the tranquil residential area of Peterlee and nearby homeowners said the incident had left them in shock.
Robert Laws, 50, who lives just yards away from the scene of the crime, said there had been a large police presence in the area.
He added: “The whole area was cordoned off and there were a lot of police standing guard. It sounds like something really nasty has happened.”
Meanwhile another homeowner, who did not want to be named, said: “People were coming out and trying to see what had happened.
“I think it’s awful, nobody deserves to have something like this happen to them.”
Anyone with information can contact Peterlee Police on 0345 606-0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
His clothing may have been alight for some time before he was found and the alarm raised
