Racket next door ended with petrol murder

Two brothers involved in the killing of a former policeman who was doused in petrol and set ablaze in a row over noisy neighbours were jailed yesterday. Their sister, who had urged to them to put an end to the noise, was also imprisoned.

A jury at Leicester Crown Court was told that David Stedman, 67, who shared a flat with two others, was the innocent victim of the dispute.

The two accused of causing the noise were not at home when Dean Saunders, 21, and his brother Richard , 27, broke into the flat, smashed belongings with an iron bar and knocked Mr Stedman to the ground. They sprayed him and the flat with petrol and Dean set it ablaze as they left.

Neighbours at the three-storey block of flats in Scalpay Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, rushed to Mr Stedman's aid and smothered the flames covering his body but he died in hospital.

Dean Saunders, of Billington Close, Stocking Farm, Leicester, was jailed for life after admitting murder. Richard, of Wassell Road, Wollescote, Stourbridge, West Midlands, was jailed for eight years prison after admitting manslaughter. Their sister, Carole Saunders, 26, a nursing home care assistant, of Rona Gardens, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, admitted inciting her brothers to damage Mr Stedman's home and was jailed for two years.

She had previously lived in the flat below Mr Stedman and had urged her brothers to take action against two neighbours who shared a flat with Mr Stedman, a schizophrenic.