A MAN has pleaded guilty to a series of offences on Tuesday, September 20, after setting fire to premises in Rowe Court.
Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, Hakeem Kigundu, aged 32, formerly of Rowe Court, Reading, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous harm, and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.
On Wednesday, December 15, Kigundu started a fire at the block of flats, where he had been a resident, which then spread, causing major damage and trapping residents inside.
Two of the residents, Richard Burgess, aged 46, and Neil Morris, aged 45, were killed as a result of the fire, and two further residents were seriously injured.
It was declared a major incident and required a large emergency service presence in response.
Kigundu was arrested later on Wednesday, December 15, and charged two days later.
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 is due to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court over a two-day hearing beginning on Tuesday, December 6.
