Updated: A LABOURER has been locked up indefinitely for killing teenage jockeys Jan Wilson and Jamie Kyne in North Yorkshire, but police say questions remain unanswered for their families.

Peter William Brown, 38, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court yesterday and told he must serve a minimum of seven and a half years behind bars.

Brown had earlier been convicted of manslaughter after starting the fire in Buckrose Court, Norton, in September 2009, that killed the two jockeys. He had been refused entry to a party, and the court heard the arson attack was an act of revenge.

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies called Brown, of Brotherton, near Selby, a “dangerous man” whose “impulsive or vengeful behaviour” and other factors meant he posed a “significant” risk to other people.

Police said Brown’s refusal to give evidence at his trial meant the families of Jan Wilson, 19,from Forfar in Scotland, and Jamie Kyne, 18, from County Galway in Ireland, still had questions about exactly what happened the night their loved ones died.

The judge said: “For all in the building that night, it was a terrifying ordeal. That the other occupants of the flat managed to reach a place of safety was entirely due to their own efforts.”

She said they had had to try “by any means possible to leave the flaming building” and said those who survived were still suffering from nightmares, were afraid to be left alone in a house or, in one case, had taken to drink.

Brown’s barrister, Paul Watson, said his client “vehemently and comprehensively” continued to deny he was responsible for lighting the fire, which began at 2am in the stairway of the block of flats, as the jockeys slept in a top-floor flat. Brown also lived in Buckrose Court at the time.

His trial heard Brown had lit the fire at a place he knew was the only exit from the three-storey building and where he knew there was a pile of combustible material including furniture and flat packs. His aim had to be “scare, frighten or smoke out” the people inside.

After starting the fire, he had hindered those trying to save the flats’ residents by his “confrontational actions”, the court heard.

The judge ordered Brown to serve at least seven and a half years before he can apply for parole. Brown denied two charges of manslaughter, but was convicted by the jury.

The judge praised the families of both jockeys for their dignity and restraint during the court process. She said: “I know for each one of them nothing will ever be the same again and this particular time of the year is going to be painfully poignant.”

But she hoped their strength of character would carry them through the “weeks, months and years ahead”.

Outside court, Det Insp Steve Smith said: “The family would love to have some explanation, some answers as to exactly what happened that night and what he did. Unfortunately for the families, it leaves behind lots and lots of questions which cannot be answered at this time.”

He said Brown “comes across as cold, someone who doesn’t take responsibility for any of his actions. He has always sought to blame others. He totally lost his temper. It seems he lost all rationale and the consequences have been terrible.”

Brown, originally from Dyce, near Aberdeen, was a building labourer who acted as the flats’ caretaker.

Between 6pm on Friday September 4, 2009, and 2am the next morning, when he started the fire, he drank lager, whisky and Guinness and sniffed a line of cocaine. He also tried unsuccessfully to get invited into a party in the block of flats.


No remorse shown

Detective Inspector Alan Carey, the policeman who led the investigation into the jockeys’ deaths, said: “I am satisfied with the sentence in this extremely tragic case. Peter Brown has shown little or no remorse, let alone an admission of his guilt throughout the investigation and the subsequent trial.

“He chose not to give evidence, thereby refusing to be cross-examined in relation to his actions on the night of the tragedy.

“The fact that he took this decision is of little comfort to Jan and Jamie’s families who are still left wondering why the fire was started. Today’s sentence means he finally has to face up to the consequences of those actions.”


Family thanks people of Malton

Jamie Kyne’s family paid tribute to those who had helped them since he died.

In a voice that nearly broke with emotion, his cousin Loretta said: “Thank you to everyone in England and Ireland, especially the residents of Malton and the Jockey Associations of both England and Ireland for all their help, care and understanding expressed to the family. Jamie will remain in our hearts forever. He will never be forgotten, not just because he was a world-class jockey, but because of the impact he had on everyone he ever met and because of his beautiful nature and cheeky smile.”

Tom O’Ryan, pictured, The Press’s racing tipster and a close friend of Jamie, said: “It’s been so long but this brings it all back. It doesn’t alter the fact that this was a heartbreaking scenario, especially for family and friends of the two. If justice has been done, then maybe now we can get some sense of closure.

“I was a good friend of Jamie. I went racing with him the day before he died. We became great pals and he was a good lad. I know it’s very difficult, but maybe the families will now be able to move on.”