‘I can never forget the horror of that night’: Victim speaks out after ex-partner jailed for attempted murder, arson and stalking

A man who harassed his pregnant ex-partner on social media before setting fire to her flat while she was inside with her daughter has been jailed for at least 22 years.

Harry Owusu-Manu, 39, of New Kent Road, Bermondsey, was found guilty on February 23 of two counts of attempted murder following a five-week trial at the Old Bailey.

He was also found guilty of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life, religiously aggravated stalking and having a lock knife in a public place.

He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Speaking out for the first time since the sentencing, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “It was devastating that because of this man’s hatefulness I have lost so much that was dear to me. 

“I have been deeply traumatised and can never forget the horror of that night. 

“I’m so grateful to the London Fire Brigade (LFB) for rescuing us and that my children and I are alive. I truly thought that we were going to die. 

“This has changed my life. Losing my lovely home and worse, my sense of security and safety, is forever changed. I don’t know when I will ever feel truly safe again. 

“But I know that I am stronger than he thought and we will be happy again and we will thrive. 

“I hope this hateful, cruel man spends decades in prison for endangering our lives and the lives of everyone who lived in that building.”

Detectives began their investigation after a fire was reported at a flat in Battersea in the early hours of April 25, 2023. 

The victim, who is deaf and was pregnant at the time, and her young daughter had been in the flat. After they were rescued by firefighters they were treated for smoke inhalation.

The LFB established that the fire had been started deliberately after a doormat had been set alight and forced under the victim’s door.

While Owusu-Manu had attempted to cover his tracks by spray painting one of the CCTV cameras black, detectives soon found footage of his distinctive orange van arriving minutes before the fire.

Officers identified the van and were able to trace his movements from his home address to the victim’s address. 

Enquiries revealed that Owusu-Manu made the same journey a number of times in the days leading up to the fire.

Dash cam footage recovered from the van itself caught the moment Owusu-Manu made his way to the flat to start the blaze.

Owusu-Manu was arrested later the same day and refused to answer any questions put to him by officers. Due to the overwhelming evidence against him, Owusu-Manu was charged and convicted.

Detective Constable Megan Gittins, who led the investigation, said: “The victim’s home and new baby items including clothes, cot and toys were all destroyed.

“Owusu-Manu refused to accept that she did not want to be in a relationship with him anymore and set about causing her physical and mental harm.

“He began posting derogatory and Islamophobic stories on Instagram but his behaviour soon escalated when he attempted to murder not just his ex-partner but her young daughter and unborn child.

“He also showed extreme disregard for the lives of other residents who could have been seriously injured by his dangerously misguided drive for revenge.

“I want to send a clear message to anyone who is concerned about the behaviour of a current or former partner – the Met is here for you.”

Pictured top: The Old Bailey (Picture: It’s No Game/ Flickr)