Petrol bomb attack on Rotherham family home earns man six-year sentence

Jamal Usman, 23, has been jailed for six years and four months for hurling a petrol bomb at a house in Rotherham with seven people inside.

Rotherham man jailed for petrol bomb attack on occupied family home

Jamal Usman, 23, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to six years and four months at Sheffield Crown Court after throwing a petrol bomb at a house in Rotherham with seven people inside, BBC News reports.

The attack on a property in Warwick Street, Moorgate, took place in the early hours of 25 November 2023. Among those present were two children and an 11-month-old baby. Six occupants managed to escape unharmed; one person sustained serious leg injuries after jumping from a window to safety — rescued in part by neighbours who arrived with ladders.

CCTV footage showed Usman and a group of others arriving at the scene by taxi before the bomb was thrown. He pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered. In addition to his custodial term, he will serve a further three years on licence upon release. Two further suspects remain wanted in connection with the attack.

Detective Sergeant Chris Byne of South Yorkshire Police described the outcome as "frankly a miracle that no lives were lost."

"Usman showed a shocking lack of humanity, having a complete and utter disregard for the safety of those inside the house he targeted," Byne said. He also praised the victims for their cooperation throughout the investigation: "Their bravery and determination to see justice served played a big role in this result."

Source: BBC News