Arsonist sets fire to himselfA 28-YEAR-OLD man who torched himself when he set fire to a car, ran screaming for help through central Launceston and was eventually doused by two policemen. Luke Alexander Grimmond was covered in flames after dousing a utility with petrol and setting fire to it about 3am, Launceston's Supreme Court has heard.
"The accused's clothing caught fire and he was seen by a number of people including two police officers, covered in flames screaming for help and running west along Brisbane St across the intersection with George St into The Avenue," Crown prosecutor Peter Sherriff told the court.
Jason Kenna, who had been drinking with Mr Grimmond, also saw him running down the street. "Mr Kenna ran to his friend's aid and managed to get him on to the roadway where he tried to roll him in order to smother the flames," Mr Sherriff said. "The two police officers however arrived seconds later and used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire and assisted the accused who was in severe pain and wearing only the burned remnants of his clothing.
"Pieces of clothing still alight were seen strewn along the Brisbane St where he had run."
While waiting for the ambulance, Mr Grimmond was heard to say he was a "d***head", that he had torched a vehicle, and would have to pay for damage. He was also heard to say "why doesn't anybody like me?"
Mr Grimmond pleaded guilty to unlawfully setting fire to property on May 4, 2006. Chief Justice Ewan Crawford remanded Mr Grimmond in custody for sentence.