A teenager of Nigerian descent, Nathan Otitodilichukwu, has been sentenced to six years in prison by a court at Old Bailey, United Kingdom, for the manslaughter of 76-year-old Robert Price, who died after a firework was thrown into his home.
According to a statement released by the UK Metropolitan Police on Tuesday, the tragic incident occurred on July 27, 2024, when Otitodilichukwu and another teenager approached Price’s residence with a firecracker.
Although they initially backed off after the elderly man appeared at the door, they returned shortly afterward to carry out the act.
One of the teenagers climbed onto a gas meter outside the Dagenham property and threw the lit firework through a window. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by the sound of laughter as the teens fled the scene.
Emergency responders, including the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service, arrived shortly after.
Firefighters forced their way into the property where Price was found unresponsive.
He was confirmed dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from inhalation of fire fumes and burn injuries.
The police launched an immediate investigation and arrested Otitodilichukwu at his residence two days later.
Officers also found clothing matching what was captured on nearby CCTV footage. Further inquiries led to the arrest of the second teenager, who was 16 years old at the time.
Both suspects were charged and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter on February 11, 2025.
The court sentenced Otitodilichukwu to six years in prison, while his accomplice received a two-year, eight-month sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke of Specialist Crime North described the incident as a senseless act that ended in a needless loss of life.
He expressed hope that the sentencing would offer some comfort to the victim’s family, noting that the defendants’ guilty plea spared them the trauma of a full trial.
“This is a deeply tragic case, which saw a man lose his life in his own home after a completely mindless and reckless act had devastating consequences,” Clarke said.
“The young defendants will now face the consequences of their actions. I hope Robert’s family can take some solace in this outcome.”