Murderer jailed for Wednesbury fatal random wheelie bin fire

A man who killed an 82-year-old by setting a wheelie bin on fire, engulfing the victim’s home and leaving two others in a coma, has been jailed for at least 25 years.

Andrew Gorrell, 55, randomly targeted John Edwards’ Wednesbury home in May 2025.

Gorrell had a long history of alcohol abuse and been drinking before setting the fatal fire and three other nearby wheelie bin blazes, a court heard.

The judge said his actions and previous conviction for arson showed he was “a highly dangerous individual”.

Gorrell, of Saltney, Flintshire, north Wales, was convicted of murder.

He was also found guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent to endanger life at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The flaming wheelie bin, which had been placed to block the front door, spread to Edwards’ home in Holyhead Road in the early hours of 11 May and he died in hospital.

Adult sons Carl, 60, and Mark, 57, were both staying the night at their parents’ home, the trial was told.