logo
Moment thug smashes ex's doorbell cam before setting house on fire & killing her dog – hours after being FREED by cops

Moment thug smashes ex's doorbell cam before setting house on fire & killing her dog – hours after being FREED by cops

Scottish Suna day ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THIS is the moment a thug smashed up his ex's doorbell camera before he set her home on fire, killing her dog.
Drunk Adrian West was filmed picking up a rock from Louise Simpson's garden before bashing in her door camera.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
Adrian West outside Louise Simpson's house, with a rock in his hand
Credit: SWNS
6
Louise Simpson, with her beloved pet dog
Credit: Supplied
6
Louise's house after the devastating fire that tore it apart
Credit: SWNS
He had subjected her to months of violent attacks including strangling, punching and kicking.
She kicked him out of her house in Crawley, Sussex, but the 61-year-old returned and smashed her doorbell camera using a rock.
Louise, 53, called the police and West spent a night in the cells before being released without charge the following day.
But the violent thug returned to her house just hours afterwards and set the porch on fire as she slept.
Louise's neighbours frantically woke her up and she scrambled to escape as the house was engulfed in flames and thick smoke.
The fire savagely tore through her home, leaving it in ruins.
Her beloved British Bulldog Peggy was frozen in terror under the bed - and Louise was forced to abandon her in order to save her own life.
Firefighters rescued Peggy from the house but were unable to resuscitate her.
West has now been jailed for six years after pleading guilty to arson and a string of assaults on Louise.
She is now campaigning for a change in the law consider companion animals as sentient beings rather than property as they are currently seen - find her petition here.
Reliving the arrest, Louise said: "They police came out and arrested him.
"I was sobbing, saying: 'Whatever happens, I just don't want him to be able to come near me again'. So he was kept in custody overnight.
"They called me about 10.45am the next morning and said that he was going to be released with no further action.
"I said: 'Well, what do I do? He's going to come back.' And they said they can't do anything unless he does something more.
"They genuinely seemed to be more worried about how abusive he'd been to the arresting officers the day before."
Louise called police on September 13 last year when a drunk West tried to smash her door and Ring doorbell camera with a rock.
She wouldn't open the door and called the police.
He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and held overnight at a local police station.
Louise was told they could not take further action because she had not signed the witness statement she had provided.
Fearing that West would return to her house the following day, she blocked the front door with a toolbox and stockpiled food for a few days.
She was "shattered" and laid down for a nap. A heavy sleeper, she awoke at 3.16pm to her neighbours raising the alarm that her house was on fire.
Fire forensics later told Louise they believe he used white spirit as an accelerant.
Three-year-old Peggy hid under the bed and was too heavy for Louise to drag her out.
"If she decided she wasn't going to move, you could not move her," Louise said. "I was desperately trying, but I couldn't breathe, so I ran down the stairs.
"I pulled the toolbox out the way and ran the door, and I thought: 'Somebody will help me', because I obviously wasn't realising quite how bad it was at that point.
"I ran back upstairs, and I said: 'I've got to get Peggy. Please help me get Peggy.' But my neighbours said: 'You've got to get out.'
"I was trying to cover my mouth with my hands and putting my T-shirt over my mouth but because the smoke was so thick I couldn't breathe."
Louise stayed with her son Connor, 28, after the fire.
She said: "For about four or five days, I couldn't eat. I just laid on the sofa. I didn't wash, didn't brush my teeth. I was just crying non-stop. I couldn't move off the sofa. I couldn't take it all in."
She now stays between her Connor's house and a friend's in nearby Crawley.
The council offered her alternative accommodation but she prefers to move back into her house once it is repaired in about a year.
She said: "I've lived in that home for 28 years. I raised my son there. I've got good memories there as well."
Her possessions suffered fire, smoke or water damage.
Louise lost personal photos, her mum's ashes, a hairbrush which had her mum's hair still in it, an elephant made for her by her daughter-in-law out of her mum's clothes and Connor's baby clothes she was saving for her grandchildren.
West, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to arson with intent, criminal damage, non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm on May 2.
He was sentenced to six years and three months in jail.
Louise is upset Peggy's death was not considered in the sentencing.
She wants offenders to be punished for killing companion animals like dogs and cats. She added: "Peggy's life was given as much value as a bookcase.
"She was my absolute world. What I used to go through with him, she was the one constant that was there by my side; my best friend."
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "West was arrested on 13 September 2024 on suspicion of criminal damage and spent the night in custody. He was released without charge as the victim did not wish to sign a statement at the time."
The Ministry of Justice says it has no plans to change the law.
6
The fire savagely tore through her home, leaving it in ruins
Credit: SWNS
6
Louise Simpson's dog Peggy, who died in the fire
Credit: SWNS

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Groom, 54, killed after crashing his e-scooter into open car door just 48 hours before his wedding
Groom, 54, killed after crashing his e-scooter into open car door just 48 hours before his wedding

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Groom, 54, killed after crashing his e-scooter into open car door just 48 hours before his wedding

The bride and groom were set to jet off for their honeymoon today WEDDING HORROR Groom, 54, killed after crashing his e-scooter into open car door just 48 hours before his wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GROOM-to-be has sadly been killed after crashing his e-scooter into an open car door a mere two days before his wedding. Scott Catton, 54, was rushed to hospital following the horror crash but tragically died at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre on Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scott was tragically killed when he collided with an opening car door Credit: SWNS 4 Scott is survived by his young son Credit: SWNS Scott was riding his e-scooter down a street in Top Valley, Nottingham, when he crashed into an opening car door. He was left fatally injured by the crash and sadly passed away in hospital days later despite the best efforts of medics. The collision occurred on Thursday 5, just two days before Scott was due to marry his fiancee Debbie. The couple had planned to leave to Majorca today for their honeymoon. Instead of celebrating his wedding Scott's distraught family are now fundraising to cover funeral expenses. He is survived by his young son who is just 13. Scott's brother in law, Phillip Bates, has set up a GoFundMe which will be used to help cover funeral costs. The fundraiser will also be used to set up a trust for Scott's son. Scott's brother in law described him as the "life and soul of the party." A statement from Scott's devastated family reads: "Today we had to say goodbye to a much loved friend, partner, father, uncle and brother. Tributes pour in for Brit stag do groom who collapsed & died in Benidorm as fiancee says 'I can't believe this is real' "Scott had a traffic accident from which he didn't recover. "I am trying to raise funds to give him the send off that he deserves any remaining funds will be put into trust for his 13 year old son he leaves behind. "Funeral arrangements will be posted in due course. "He was due to marry his partner on Monday 9th June. We are all in deep shock please find it in your hearts to help." 4 Scott bereaved family have set up a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs Credit: SWNS 4 Scott tragically died just two days before his wedding Credit: SWNS So far nearly £5,900 has been raised towards a target of £7,500. Scott, a retired EON adviser, was described by family as a keen boxing and cricket fan. His brother in law, Phillip, 56, said: "It's horrendous. It's never a good time, but this is the worst time though. "He was the life and soul of the party, everyone loved him. "He was a cheeky chap. He was massively into his sports and we both played football. "He played for local teams, and played at veterans level. He loved his cricket and boxing. "He went to Wembley to watch England and he recently went to watch the Eubank vs Benn fight. He was Nottingham Forest mad too." Nottingham Police are probing the incident.

Dad & daughter, 9, killed in horror house fire while mum ‘away on trip' are named – as sister fighting for life
Dad & daughter, 9, killed in horror house fire while mum ‘away on trip' are named – as sister fighting for life

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Dad & daughter, 9, killed in horror house fire while mum ‘away on trip' are named – as sister fighting for life

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE dad and daughter, 9, who were killed in a horror house fire have been named, as tributes pour in. The blaze that ripped through the house in Yorkshire killed Sohaib Ahmed, aged 38, and his daughter Manahal Ahmed, aged nine. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The fire service is working with the police to establish the cause of the fire. Credit: © YappApp 5 The horror blaze tore through a property in the market town of Heckmondwike Credit: PA It also saw the little girl's 11-year-old sister rushed to hospital and she remains in critical condition. Enquiries into the fire remain ongoing by Kirklees District Police on behalf of the coroner. This comes after it emerged the mother of the family had been on a trip when the tragedy unfolded. Neighbours told The Sun that the mum-of-three was away on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and she is returning home today. Pictures of the scene show firefighters investigating what looks like a burnt-out tumble dryer. The fire service is working with the police to establish the cause of the fire. Emergency services were called to the scene, in the market town of Heckmondwike, at 6.19am on Sunday morning. West Yorkshire Fire Service said it sent four crews and firefighters pulled a man and two young girls out of the burning building. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the dad died at the scene. Both girls were rushed to hospital, where the youngest sadly died later that day. The father, a taxi driver, was looking after their three children - two daughters and a son - as his wife was away. Their eldest was staying with relatives on Saturday night so he was not inside the red-brick semi detached house in the quiet cul de sac when the fire took hold. Cops said they don't believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Former neighbours Andy Boys, 30, and Mehvish Iqbal, 29, came to lay floral tributes outside the fire damaged house. Mehvish said: 'My son used to play outside with her little girl, the one that has passed away. It is just awful. 'To know that the mother is away in Mecca and she is coming back to this, I don't know how she is going to deal with it mentally. 'The girls are lovely little girls, I pray that her older sister pulls through.' Andy said: 'They were lovely neighbours, we lived next door.' A number of floral tributes have been left outside the house. Another neighbour said: 'I heard sirens on Sunday morning and then looked out to see the smoke and the emergency crews doing CPR on the dad and kids. 'It seemed to go on forever, it was horrendous.' Another neighbour said: 'The Mum was away in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. I've been told she is coming back today. My heart breaks for her. 'I know their eldest son was stopping elsewhere with a relative when the fire started. 'The Dad is a taxi driver and such a nice man. It's is devastating for everybody and we just hope the other little girl survives.' Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex said: "We are continuing to work with colleagues at the fire service to investigate this dreadfully sad incident which has resulted in a father and daughter losing their lives. "Extensive enquiries have been ongoing since yesterday and we have been working to locate and support relatives of the victims both here and outside of the UK at what is clearly an awful time for the family. "While our enquiries remain ongoing we do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances regarding the cause of the fire and will be preparing a file for the coroner in due course. "Our support for the family involved clearly also still continues." 5 Flowers left at the scene on Russell Close in Heckmondwike Credit: PA 5 Emergency services were called to the property at 6.19am on Sunday morning Credit: PA

‘Super Sperm Donor' TV star ‘recreated alleged sex attack', court told
‘Super Sperm Donor' TV star ‘recreated alleged sex attack', court told

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘Super Sperm Donor' TV star ‘recreated alleged sex attack', court told

The court heard how he jetted off to the Philippines to donate sperm to a couple in October 2022 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RAPE accused told a jury how he's recreated the alleged sex attack with his latest girlfriend. Mitchell Kennedy, 42, is alleged to have pounced on his ex in her own bedroom as she tried to dump him. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Mitchell Kennedy is accused of raping his partner after she tried to dump him But as he gave evidence in his own defence, the dad-of-two rubbished the claims and told the jury it would be impossible for him to do what he's been accused of. He said: 'She said we had sex with her on top. I held her by her hips. 'It's ridiculous. It's nonsense. I tried it out with my partner. There is no way a man can hold a woman on top of him. 'It's all an attention seeking thing. It is a horrendous experience she has put herself through with these false allegations. 'Why would anyone do this? It's hell for her as well. I believe it's the process that has traumatised her.' We told how Mitchell, from Aberdeen, appeared in a TV show called Britain's Super Sperm Donors. His trial at the High Court in the city heard he jetted off to the Philippines to donate to a couple in October 2022. He told the court the week-long trip came a day after he returned from a disappointing break to Majorca with his ex-girlfriend, who's 23. A pal of the woman told jurors: 'He went to the Philippines for what I believe to be a sperm donation. 'When he got back that was the end of the relationship because she didn't trust him.' Moment evil soldier who raped woman in town centre is caught cowering in toilet The trial was told the woman summoned him to her flat to split with him in November 2022 after he avoided seeing her for three weeks. A concerned flatmate claimed they heard the couple kissing and arguing through the door but they couldn't get her to leave the room. They then got a family member to contact her and falsely claim they had hurt themselves to get her away from Mitchell. The accused told the jury the woman was actually keen to save the relationship after problems during the rocky holiday to Majorca. Mitchell claimed the pair had consensual sex and he left thinking they were still a couple while her flatmates were up to a 'stupid game'. He said: 'It had gone better than I thought it would. 'We made love. I was in a good mood. I was happy. I wasn't concerned about what the game was.' Under cross examination from prosecutor David Logan he accused his ex of lying about what had happened. He said: 'She had backed herself into a corner. Making me out to be some kind of baddie. She's then having to juggle these two contrasting situations.' Mitchell was cleared of verbally and physically abusing his ex. He denies raping her. The trial before Judge Graham Buchanan continues.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store