Firefighters evacuated neighbours living in the multi-occupancy house as well as other residents on the street ensuring the area was safe after the petrol incident.
Robbie Sinclair was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford by ambulance where police said he was in a critical condition, fighting for his life. The incident left him with 19 separate injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain following the attack. Furthermore Robbie had cuts and stamp marks on his face, a broken chest bone and ribs, along with fractures to his skull bones and eye socket. Mr Sinclair spent 17 days in hospital after the attack; he was left unable to work after the assault and had to move into cheaper accommodation as a result.
It was announced recently that the man who sparked the chemical scare has been jailed for more than six years for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Sinclair was set upon in his bedroom by one of his housemates; John Harrison, who also sprayed flammable liquid around the room after the attack. Before the attack John argued with Robbie and a fight almost broke out, but they were separated by another housemate. Oxford Crown Court heard that much of what took place remained a mystery due to Robert and John having gaps in their memories. John blamed his amnesia on the amount of alcohol he drank before returning home early morning. Mr Sinclair on the other hand only remembers going to bed in his locked bedroom and waking up in hospital hours later in a critical condition. John used the tools of his trade to drill holes in his car and extract accelerants, such as brake fluid, in order to set fire to Robbie's bedroom.
Fieldfisher have been instructed to make a compensation claim to the CICA. Mark Bowman, personal injury specialist representing Robbie Sinclair said: "This is one of the worst cases I have seen. The actions of Mr Harrison are truly beyond belief. I hope that the CICA will deal with this claim expeditiously in view of the nature of the injuries sustained by my client."
This case featured on Daily Mail online and Oxford Mail online.