Man pleads guilty to murder & arson after setting fire to flats in Reading
Two people were killed in the Rowe Court fire last December
Last updated 20th Sep 2022
A man has pleaded guilty to arson, grievous bodily harm and murder after he set fire to a block of flats in Reading.
32-year-old Hakeem Kigundu, formerly of Rowe Court in Reading, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.
On 15 December 2021, Kigundu started a fire at a block of flats in Rowe Court, Reading, where he had been a resident.
The fire then spread, causing major damage to the building, trapping residents inside.
Tragically, two of the residents, Richard Burgess, aged 46, and Neil Morris, aged 45, were killed.
Two other people were seriously injured as a result of Kigundu’s actions.
A large emergency service presence was required at the scene and a major incident was declared.
Kigundu was arrested later the same day, and charged on 17 December last year.
More than twenty people also lost their homes after the block had to be demolished.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Sally Spencer, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said:
“Kigundu’s actions were devastating. Because he started a fire, Richard Burgess and Neil Morris have lost their lives, two other people have been seriously injured and all the residents have lost their homes and treasured possessions.
“The families of Mr Burgess and Mr Morris in particular have had to endure the unimaginable pain of waiting weeks for the bodies of their loved ones to be recovered from the site, as the building was so badly damaged that it was unsafe to remove them more quickly.
“I want to thank the families of Mr Burgess and Mr Morris, all the residents of Rowe Court who have lost their homes in such tragic circumstances, and the wider community for their cooperation and support during this extremely difficult time.
“I’m pleased that Kigundu has pleaded guilty today, and that the families of Mr Burgess and Mr Morris will at least be spared the trauma of a trial.”
Kigundu will be sentenced at the same court over a two day hearing scheduled to take place on October 6 and 7.
Victims
Neil Morris, 45-years-old
Neil's family has released the following statement:
“Neil Morris, known to most as Boz, was born and raised in Shropshire. He had lived in Reading for the past twenty years having recently purchased a top floor flat at Rowe Court.
“He had worked for the NHS as a Risk Information Analyst for the past fourteen years.
“He had a great sense of humour, was intelligent, knowledgeable, a talented artist and a creative writer.
“Neil was a dearly loved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and a dear and loyal friend to many.
“We, Neil’s family, have been left devastated and heartbroken, our loss is unbearable.”
Richard Burgess, 46-years-old
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