An inmate at Northward Prison says he set his bed and pillows on fire in protest, after being placed in a cell with another prisoner against his wishes.
The other prisoner, Shane Connor, had been convicted of a violent home invasion.
Appearing before the Grand Court via video link on Friday, 14 March 2024, Ormario Desmond Brown entered a guilty plea to a single charge of arson, which occurred on 14 March 2023.
Brown, 23, of George Town, is serving a five-year sentence for making off with a safe during an aggravated burglary.
When entering his guilty plea to the prison fire, Brown told the court he was not trying to harm anyone, but instead to send a clear message.
“My reason for [starting the fire] was that I was technically misunderstood by the officers,” said Brown. “I told them about sharing a cell with Shane Connor and at the time I wasn’t thinking about causing mass destruction or calamity towards the inmates, and/or the staff.”
Brown added, “I thank the court for giving me a chance to explain myself and I hope you will have mercy on me.”
According to the particulars of the charge, the damage was limited to Brown’s sleeping quarters with no injuries reported.
Court records indicate that Brown suffers from an undisclosed mental illness for which he is due to be examined.
Brown’s fire is one of several that were reported at the men’s prison during 2023. In November, Fire Service officers were called out to another blaze in which four prisoners were treated for smoke inhalation.
No sentencing date has been set, and Brown remains in custody.
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