A tenant who killed his landlord by setting fire to his Lenton home has been jailed.
Sekou Soumare, 56, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 26 years in prison for the murder of 55-year-old Christopher Bonnick.
He appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to murder.
The court heard that on Sunday, March 22, Soumare had used petrol to set fire to the converted flats that both he and Mr Bonnick lived in.
He phoned emergency services himself at about 12.42 telling the operator: ‘I’ve burnt it… the house is on fire now’.
While other tenants gathered outside, fire crews fought the fire and discovered Mr Bonnick still breathing.
Soumare had told them there was nobody in the flat, pictured above after the fire.
Picture: Christopher Bonnick died in hospital shortly after the attack
Mr Bonnick was taken to hospital with 97 per cent burns but despite the efforts of medical staff he died a short time later.
Soumare confessed to officers at the scene, saying: “I am the guilty party I set him and my house on fire.”
Mr Bonnick left behind four children and four grandchildren.
Picture: Sekou Soumare will spend at least 26 years in jail
His daughter Clara Bonnick said: “My dad was full of pure goodness, full of a spiritual and loving aura with a warm heart.
“I just hope he realises how much he is missed and how much we love him. My dad was not ready to die, he had too much to live for. He didn’t deserve this, it wasn’t his time to go.”
This is one of the most barbaric murders
Detective Chief Inspector Leigh Sanders led the investigation. He said: “This is one of the most barbaric murders I have ever investigated.
“Mr Bonnick died a prolonged and painful death. Not only did Soumare rob a family of their father and grandfather, he endangered the lives of other residents living in the flats and destroyed his own home in the process.
“I’d like to thank all those who worked on this investigation. For Mr Bonnick’s family I hope this sentence and seeing justice served gives them some comfort as they continue to deal with their loss.”
