A scaffolder from Essex who playfully imitated ‘Iron Man’ by waving his hand through flames from a tabletop heater has been acquitted of causing serious bodily harm in a fireball explosion at a pub that injured two women. Dale Carter, 30, was accused of negligently pouring liquid fuel on a lit tabletop heater at the King’s Head pub in Great Cornard, Suffolk, in April 2021. The explosion harmed cousins April and Ashleigh Charlesworth, who sustained burns to their faces, chests, and hands while celebrating April’s 28th birthday, their first outing after the Covid lockdown.

At Ipswich Crown Court, it was revealed that the group was seated outside the pub on a chilly evening when a tabletop heater and a bottle of ethanol were brought to their table. Carter, from Colchester, Essex, allegedly poured ethanol onto the heater while it was still aflame, resulting in a sudden burst of flames. Despite the fire diminishing, Carter repeated the action, causing the bottle to ignite explosively, spraying burning fuel over those nearby.

Although the prosecution acknowledged Carter did not intend to harm anyone, they claimed he was engaging in reckless behavior by showing off and fooling around with the fuel. Carter refuted these accusations, stating his sole purpose was to refuel the heater. Following a four-day trial, a jury unanimously acquitted him of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm within an hour and 20 minutes.

Witnesses testified to the chaotic scene that unfolded, with one recalling Carter’s face getting burned and the subsequent efforts to extinguish the flames and aid the injured women. The court learned that both women endured severe injuries, with Ashleigh spending 17 days in the hospital and requiring skin grafts, while April was hospitalized for 11 days and attended follow-up appointments for weeks.

While Carter admitted to adding fuel to the heater, he maintained that he did so innocently to reignite the flame. He expressed regret and guilt over the incident, emphasizing that his actions were not intended to impress or show off. The court’s decision to acquit Carter was met with relief as he was discharged from the case.

Throughout the trial, accounts from witnesses and individuals involved painted a picture of a tragic event that unfolded due to a series of unfortunate decisions and misunderstandings. Despite the injuries sustained, the court’s ruling reflected an acknowledgment of the lack of malicious intent on Carter’s part, ultimately leading to his exoneration.