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Murderer wanted to ‘kill and hurt as many people as possible’ in arson attack

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Hakeem Kigundu burned down more than 20 homes at his block of flats (Picture: Thames Valley Police/SWNS)

A double murderer behind a devastating fire which killed two men had wanted to ‘kill and hurt as many people as possible’, a court has heard.

Hakeem Kigundu, 32, was facing eviction from Rowe Court, Reading.

In response, he started a blaze which spread and caused major damage through his flat building and trapped residents inside.

Richard Burgess, 46, and Neil Morris, 45, both died in the fire.

Others were left with significant injuries as they attempted to flee or even jump from their flats to safety.

‘Countless’ others lost their homes.

Kigundu pleaded guilty in September to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

During his sentencing hearing today, prosecutors said Kigundu soaked the area in petrol before lighting the fire that spread rapidly through the building.

Chillingly, he recorded himself in an audio ‘diary’ just six days before the murders, warning of the looming attack.

Neil Morris died after the flames took hold in Rowe Court (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)
Richard Burgess also perished in the blaze (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)

The prosecutor told Reading Crown Court: ‘In the early hours of 15 December, the defendant carried out a pre-meditated and devastating attack of arson with the intent of killing and hurting as many people as possible.

‘Those events were carefully planned by him in days and weeks before, including sourcing a significant quantity of petrol to be used in that attack.

‘He lit the fire in the middle of the night when he knew it would cause the maximum amount of death, harm and destruction. That catastrophic fire led to the deaths of Neil Morris and Richard Burgess.

‘Both were unable to escape the overwhelming effect of the smoke and flames.’

Kigundu was caught on CCTV at a petrol station in Basingstoke Road, Reading, on December 11, 2021 (Picture: Thames Valley Police/SWNS)
A chilling voice note recorded by the arsonist was played in court (Picture: TVP/UNPIXS)

The court heard the flats were arranged over three floors and shocking video footage was shown revealing the scale of damage both inside and outside the block.

All homes were destroyed due to the extent of the fire.

Kigundu was believed to be an Ugandan national, who had entered Britain illegally using his brother’s passport, the court was also told.

He signed a 12 month tenancy in November 2020, but had caused annoyance with his neighbours over noise complaints, such as loud music and slamming doors.

Injuries sustained by Joel Richards who had been at home when the fire started (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)

Kigundu was given an eviction notice by his landlord and told to vacate by 14 December. He also lost his job for BT around the same time.

The prosecution said: ‘The combination of a loss of employment and anger over eviction was beginning of the steps of preparation in relation to the attack.’

Video played to the court showing him filling up containers with petrol just two days before the attack as well as other items he used in the attack.

His chilling audio diary was also played, which he recorded on December 9.

In it he said: ‘I can feel my time is running out. Now all I seek is just inner peace before I die. I want to die with a smile on my face.

‘All actions I am about to take are warranted believe me – they all led to this.’

The two day sentencing hear continues.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.




Kigundu burned down more than 20 homes at the block of flats where he lived (Picture: Thames Valley Police/SWNS)

Hakeem Kigundu burned down more than 20 homes at his block of flats (Picture: Thames Valley Police/SWNS)

A double murderer behind a devastating fire which killed two men had wanted to ‘kill and hurt as many people as possible’, a court has heard.

Hakeem Kigundu, 32, was facing eviction from Rowe Court, Reading.

In response, he started a blaze which spread and caused major damage through his flat building and trapped residents inside.

Richard Burgess, 46, and Neil Morris, 45, both died in the fire.

Others were left with significant injuries as they attempted to flee or even jump from their flats to safety.

‘Countless’ others lost their homes.

Kigundu pleaded guilty in September to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

During his sentencing hearing today, prosecutors said Kigundu soaked the area in petrol before lighting the fire that spread rapidly through the building.

Chillingly, he recorded himself in an audio ‘diary’ just six days before the murders, warning of the looming attack.

Neil Morris died after the flames took hold in Rowe Court (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)
Richard Burgess also perished in the blaze (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)

The prosecutor told Reading Crown Court: ‘In the early hours of 15 December, the defendant carried out a pre-meditated and devastating attack of arson with the intent of killing and hurting as many people as possible.

‘Those events were carefully planned by him in days and weeks before, including sourcing a significant quantity of petrol to be used in that attack.

‘He lit the fire in the middle of the night when he knew it would cause the maximum amount of death, harm and destruction. That catastrophic fire led to the deaths of Neil Morris and Richard Burgess.

‘Both were unable to escape the overwhelming effect of the smoke and flames.’

Kigundu was caught on CCTV at a petrol station in Basingstoke Road, Reading, on December 11, 2021 (Picture: Thames Valley Police/SWNS)
A chilling voice note recorded by the arsonist was played in court (Picture: TVP/UNPIXS)

The court heard the flats were arranged over three floors and shocking video footage was shown revealing the scale of damage both inside and outside the block.

All homes were destroyed due to the extent of the fire.

Kigundu was believed to be an Ugandan national, who had entered Britain illegally using his brother’s passport, the court was also told.

He signed a 12 month tenancy in November 2020, but had caused annoyance with his neighbours over noise complaints, such as loud music and slamming doors.

Injuries sustained by Joel Richards who had been at home when the fire started (Picture: Thames Valley Police / SWNS)

Kigundu was given an eviction notice by his landlord and told to vacate by 14 December. He also lost his job for BT around the same time.

The prosecution said: ‘The combination of a loss of employment and anger over eviction was beginning of the steps of preparation in relation to the attack.’

Video played to the court showing him filling up containers with petrol just two days before the attack as well as other items he used in the attack.

His chilling audio diary was also played, which he recorded on December 9.

In it he said: ‘I can feel my time is running out. Now all I seek is just inner peace before I die. I want to die with a smile on my face.

‘All actions I am about to take are warranted believe me – they all led to this.’

The two day sentencing hear continues.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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