Barry man set taxi on fire after ‘hearing voices’A MAN suffering from mental illness, poured petrol over a taxi parked outside a mosque in Barry, and set it ablaze, writes AJ Sicluna.
Seconds later, Ralph Jackson (42) poured petrol over another taxi parked nearby, but did not set this vehicle on fire. At Cardiff Crown Court, Jackson, of Kenilworth Road, Barry, admitted charges of arson and attempted arson.
Prosecutor Tony Trigg said that on September 14, the two vehicles, a Toyota and a Skoda, were parked in Holton Road.
The owners, taxi drivers, were worshipping at a nearby mosque.
Carrying a can of petrol, Jackson poured some of the contents over the Toyota and set it on fire. He poured petrol over the Skoda and walked away.
The first vehicle, said Mr Trigg, was a total write-off, and the owner could not believe it when he rushed out of the mosque to find it ablaze.
He called the fire service, who extinguished the blaze.
Several witnesses saw Jackson commit the offences and he was arrested in Vere Street.
Said Mr Trigg: “He said to the police that voices in his head told him to burn the cars.
“He added that he had had an argument with a man, became upset and filled a can with petrol at a nearby supermarket.”
Judge Neil Bidder QC said Jackson denied that the offences were directed towards Muslims, but he said he had been told by these voices to target the mosque and those who attended.
The court heard that he suffered from schizophrenia, but did not comply with medication, drank heavily and took drugs.
His counsel, John Ryan, said: “When not subject to these voices, he harbours no prejudices. He suffers a condition beyond his control.”
Judge Bidder added that Jackson had said he could set fire to someone and a mosque.
He said the case raised several issues, including religious aggravation.
“I’m very troubled by this case,” he said, and adjourned sentence to May 13.
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