Daniel Patrick will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A teenager faces being locked up for committing a year-long campaign of terror against his next-door neighbours.

Maidstone Crown Court heard neighbour-from-helll Daniel Patrick’s bizarre behaviour included him taking off his clothes and running around after he was seen running away from the home of Atakan and Ozlem Duru.

Ordering a psychiatric report on the 19-year-old, Judge Philip Statman said: "Having heard the evidence in this trial I am very worried indeed about the danger this defendant poses to the community."

Patrick, of Kinross Close, Walderslade, denied arson and attempted arson but was convicted.

He was acquitted of attempted arson with intent to endanger life. He admitted two assault charges and affray.

John O’Higgins, prosecuting, said the first of three episodes was in September 2010 when the Turkish couple’s car was set alight outside their house in Cunningham Crescent, Chatham.

When a police officer spoke to the teenager, he said:"They deserved it as they chucked it back in my face when I tried to help."

Mr O’Higgins said no action was taken at the time and the matter would have rested there if it had not been for other incidents.

"his behaviour was bizarre and completely out of control …” – john o'higgins

"They involved bizarre and disturbing behaviour," he said. "He demonstrated aggression against the Duru family. It had the common characteristic of involvement with fire."

In the second incident on February 26 last year, Mr Duru saw Patrick outside his house holding a flaming bottle. A petrol can was on the step.

On October 10, the family was awoken by Patrick banging on the door shouting: "Get out, get out, gas leak. Get the children out."

The youth, who had been drinking heavily, grabbed Mrs Duru and pulled her out of the house. He also pulled Mr Duru by the arms.

"His behaviour was bizarre and completely out of control," said Mr O’Higgins. "He took his clothes off and ran around in his underpants."

Alexia Zimbler, defending, said Patrick had been on a 12-hour tagged curfew and banned from entering licensed premises. He was living with his mother and stepfather.

Granting bail until sentence in about six weeks, Judge Statman said youth custody was inevitable.

Had Patrick been convicted of the more serious offence of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, he said, he would have had no hesitation in remanding him in custody.