A 55-year-old man has received a life sentence for starting a fire that claimed the life of an elderly resident.

Andrew Gorrell must serve at least 25 years behind bars for killing 82-year-old John Edwards, who passed away a fortnight after a wheelie bin blaze swept through his house.

The fire was one of several ignited by Gorrell during the early morning hours of May 11 the previous year, outside Mr Edwards’ property on Holyhead Road in Wednesbury, West Midlands.

The court was told that Mr Edwards’ spouse and two grown sons were in the property when flames took hold.

Two of the family members fell into unconscious states as a direct result of the incident.

Gorrell, who hails from Saltney in Flintshire, North Wales, was convicted in February following a trial.

Further convictions related to two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, and arson with the aim of endangering lives.

Judge Michael Chambers KC described Gorrell as a highly dangerous individual and pointed to his obsession with fire, including his decision to wear a Nightmare On Elm Street shirt on the night of the offences – referencing a film character burned to death.

The judge noted that discovering one’s home ablaze during the night constitutes a living nightmare.

The occupants sustained excruciating injuries and, in Mr Edwards’ case, ultimately died.

Prior to his death, he endured a horrifying ordeal.

The judge expressed doubt about any genuine remorse or regret regarding the events.

The judge characterized it as a clearly wicked, random attack with no apparent explanation.

Gorrell, originally from North Wales, received concurrent sentences of up to 12 years for the additional offences.

His reason for travelling to Wednesbury or selecting the Edwards family as targets remains unknown, as he declined to testify and made no comments during police questioning.

During the trial, prosecutor Rachel Brand KC noted that nobody knows why Gorrell was wandering through Wednesbury in the middle of the night or why he chose to ignite a fire at the Edwards family’s residence.

When apprehended and questioned, he declined to answer any of the police officers’ queries.

Only the defendant himself could provide the explanation.

Gorrell had travelled by rail from Chester to Wolverhampton before boarding a tram to Wednesbury, where he ignited multiple wheelie bin fires, one of which was positioned to block the front entrance of the Edwards’ home.

Judge Chambers observed Gorrell’s lengthy history of alcohol dependency and a prior conviction for arson.

In 1990, he received a 12-month custodial sentence at Knutsford Crown Court after setting light to a club while employed as a glass collector.

The court also heard that Mr Edwards’ two adult sons, Carl, aged 60, and Mark, aged 57, were staying at the property on the night of the blaze.

The judge stated the effect on the family was profoundly devastating and read aloud a statement from one of Mr Edwards’ grandchildren.

Gorrell offered his apologies as he was escorted from the courtroom.

He indicated that he was deeply sorry.

He also expressed gratitude to the judge before being removed.

He acknowledged that no sentence could reverse what had happened, nor should it be interpreted as attempting to place a monetary value on a human life.