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A 19-year-old woman accused of involvement in a gang responsible for setting fire to an elderly woman’s home has claimed she acted as a “getaway driver” but deliberately kept her speed below 20mph near the scene to avoid receiving penalty points on her driving licence. Storm Truman, who is pregnant, stated in court that she drove three men, including her boyfriend Alfie Wheeler, to the address in Ferndale during the early morning hours of July 28.
At Cardiff Crown Court, details emerged about the arson targeting the home of 82-year-old Carol Ford in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf. The prosecution revealed that the attack was linked to a relative’s debts connected to drugs. While Truman denies charges of arson and reckless endangerment of life, others involved have admitted guilt. Connor Pitt, Auryn Guster, and Alfie Wheeler, all aged between 19 and 23, have pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life. Additionally, Lewis Manito, 32, admitted to arson, reckless endangerment, and perverting the course of justice.
During the proceedings, the prosecution described Truman as being equally culpable due to her role as the driver who aided the four men responsible for starting the fire. Truman explained that Pitt had joined her vehicle after arriving separately by van alongside Manito. She expressed fear and anxiety about Pitt, mentioning his reputation locally as someone “you wouldn’t mess with.” She also said she was scared about what might happen to Alfie during the incident and stated she did not personally know any members of the Ford family or local individuals connected to the case.
Truman recounted observing the men taking items from her car boot at the house before she saw flames emerging from the property. She described the scene as chaotic, with the men urging her to “drive, drive quickly.” She told the court she punched Alfie in the face to stop him from reckless driving given her pregnancy, saying, “I was scared. I’d never seen anything like this before in my life.” She also mentioned the emotional toll of the situation, describing feelings of anger, hurt, confusion, and fear. When questioned about her knowledge of the plan for the arson, Truman denied any awareness. Following the attack, police apprehended the group in Coryton, Cardiff
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