Laughing thug, 19, who killed Blitz survivor gran, 88, after daring teen to put lit firework through letterbox is jailed | The Sun
A LAUGHING thug who killed a Blitz survivor gran after daring a teen to put a lit firework through her letterbox has been jailed.
Josephine Smith, 88, was sleeping when the Megaburst firework caused her home in Havering, East London, to erupt in flames.
Kai Cooper, 19, had dared a younger boy, then aged 17, to put the pyrotechnic through her letterbox after they first aimed them at pedestrians.
Cooper earlier told a shopkeeper he wanted "something that is going to go far and quick".
He also told his girlfriend: "I'm trying to get fireworks, let them off at people – people are going to get terrorised tonight".
Cooper has now been jailed for six-and-a-half years with a further two years on extended licence after being convicted of manslaughter and arson with recklessness as to whether life was in danger.
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The younger boy, who previously pleaded guilty to the same charges, was jailed for three years and eight months.
Judge Mark Dennis said the pair, who had made faces at Josephine's family throughout the trial, had "mischief in mind" when they set out to buy fireworks that evening.
He told them: "Your wanton and reckless conduct led to the death of a vulnerable and much-loved person."
The Old Bailey heard that 24 hours before the attack on October 28, 2021, the thugs were filmed attacking random bystanders.
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In one video, the boy attacked a defenceless woman with a wooden pole as Cooper shouted: "Smoke her, bro".
A second clip showed the same woman sprawled on the floor as Cooper urged the younger thug to stamp on her head.
Just two days later, Cooper entered a shop in Romford and bought the Megaburst tube-style firework.
He then terrorised pedestrians with the younger boy, who legally can't be named, and laughed as he ran to Josephine's home at random.
After being dared by Cooper, the teen lit the firework and put it through the pensioner's letterbox.
Two explosions caused a fire that ripped through gran-of-seven Josephine's home.
By the time the fire service arrived, the house had filled with smoke and she was tragically already dead in her upstairs bedroom.
Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC said: "[The pair] posted that firework through the letterbox with what can only be described as devastating, tragic and ultimately fatal result.
Lucy Smith, the granddaughter, Derek Smith, Mrs Smith’s late husband, and Adam Smith were present whilst ambulance workers were working on their grandmother and stayed with her grandmother until they knew there was nothing left that could be done."
A post mortem later found Josephine had died from smoke inhalation.
During his trial, jurors were told both Cooper and the younger boy had bought fireworks and lighters that night.
They had to decide whether Cooper was responsible for Josephine's death by encouraging and assisting the younger boy.
Speaking after the verdict, Josephine's son Alan said losing her "in such a horrible way" had "haunted our entire family".
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He added: "The issue surrounding the sale of fireworks to the public is a fight that we intend to continue.
"In addition, the irresponsible way those fireworks were sold on that night haunts all of us that have seen the footage."
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