A 33-year-old man from Watford has been arrested following an attack on an 80-year-old woman who was doused with flammable liquid and set on fire outside her home. According to BBC News, Brenda Raymond was discovered in a first-floor communal area at Caractacus Cottage View on Monday at approximately 12:45 GMT. She sustained life-threatening burn injuries and was transported to hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Hertfordshire Police confirmed the suspect was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and is being held in custody. Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, part of the investigating team, described the incident as
an absolutely horrific attack on an innocent victim.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Raymond with significant burn marks in the communal area. Investigators believe she was attacked as she returned home, with evidence suggesting an accelerant was used in the assault. Detectives determined that Brenda Raymond was attacked upon her arrival home and that an accelerant may have been deployed.
Det Insp Bridges explained:
We now understand that Brenda has returned home where she's been attacked by an unknown male and she's been doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire.
The investigation, designated Operation Tibbin by police, was launched as an attempted-murder investigation. Investigators have also uncovered evidence suggesting flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of another property in the vicinity, indicating the incident may extend beyond the initial attack on Raymond.
Who was the victim?
Brenda Raymond was a long-standing member of the Watford community. Tim Bromwich, a resident in a flat below her, said he had known her for three decades and worked alongside her until her retirement five years ago. He described her as a
lovely, lovely woman.
What happens next?
Police are appealing for public assistance in the investigation. Authorities have requested that anyone with relevant information, CCTV footage, doorbell camera recordings, or dashcam footage from between 10:00 and 14:00 on 9 November contact them, quoting the operation name Operation Tibbin. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify any additional suspects or witnesses.
