Five teenagers sentenced after setting fire to Grade II listed building in Neath Valley
Four given three years each over Rheola House arson attack
Five teenagers have each been sentenced after an arson attack on a Grade II listed building in the Neath Valley.
Emergency services were called to Rheola House at around 4:50pm on Tuesday 18th August, during a summer heatwave.
Four of the group were caught on CCTV arriving at the gates of the Rheola Estate in a car, before putting on masks in an attempt to conceal their identities.
They are 18-year-old Kyle Renzoni, from Cadoxton, Neath Port Talbot, 19-year-old Ellis Harding, from Gendros, Swansea, 18-year-old Yian Foster, from Resolven, Neath Port Talbot, and 18-year-old Evan Traynor, from Waunarlwydd, Swansea.
Renzoni wore a camera to record the attack.
The group filmed themselves first testing their burning materials in an outbuilding on the property.
They then used a crowbar to gain access to the main building, set it alight and fled.
All four men, plus a 17-year-old who cannot be named due to his age, were charged and pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
The four named defendants have each been sentenced to three years in a Young Offenders' Institution.
The 17-year-old boy has been referred to Swansea Youth Justice Service's youth offender panel for a 12-month contract.
Detective Sergeant Victoria Bayly, from South Wales Police, said: "This was a thoughtless and reckless attack that has not only destroyed a local historic building, but came at a point when the fire and rescue services were already stretched.
"As stated by the Judge in his summing up comments this was 'an unfathomable display of unspeakable wickedness'. I'm pleased to see they have been held accountable for their actions."