Tiernan Darnton

The offence

What the court heard

He was found guilty of murder in Heysham, Lancashire, on 28 May 2018. Sentencing Remarks of Mrs Justice Yip DBE 1. Tiernan Darnton, you have been convicted of the murder of Mary Gregory, who died on 1 June 2018 following a house fire which you deliberately started at her home a few days earlier. She was 94 years old. You were aged 17 then and are now 21. 2. Mary Gregory was a much loved mother and grandmother. She remained remarkably independent for her age and lived alone in her own home. She did though have dementia and could be confused. Her death, and the circumstances of it, have devastated the family. You were not related to Mrs Gregory but you lived with her son, who treated you as a stepson, and had been welcomed into the family. You were entrusted with keys to her home and were able to visit when you pleased. Although you professed to have cared for her, on your own admission you behaved selfishly when there, regularly making a mess in her tidy home and causing her upset. On the day before the fire, you had argued and she was plainly annoyed by your presence. 3. Murder had been on your mind for some time. On your own evidence, you were fascinated by serial killers and their crimes. You had dark thoughts. Internet searches which you made before and after you killed Mrs Gregory paint a worrying picture. In April 2018, the month before the fire, you were searching "Under 18 murder" and "How long do murderers serve in prison?" In June 2018, the month after the fire, you searched "I think I might be turning into a serial killer, please help" and in July 2018 "Urge to kill again." 4. Your opportunity to act on your dark thoughts came when your stepfather was away. In the early hours of 28 May 2018, you went to Mrs Gregory's home and deliberately started a fire in one of the bedrooms. Before doing that, I find that you had dismantled two smoke alarms, unplugged the telephone and placed a coffee table in front of the conservatory doors to impede Mrs Gregory's escape from the burning property. Other evidence of your planning is to be found in the detailed diagram you drew of her home. 5. It is hard to imagine, the horror Mrs Gregory must have felt when she realised her house was on fire and was filling with smoke. Neighbours heard her screams. Despite her frailty, she tried to get out, but she had been trapped. The Fire Service found her near to the conservatory doors, where you had blocked her exit. Her final days were spent in hospital. Quite…

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Good Character / No (relevant) previous convictions; Planned / Premeditated / Degree of Planning; Vulnerable victim

Around this case

• Preston Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS North West
• Investigated by Lancashire Constabulary