A TEENAGER is facing a minimum of 18 years behind bars for the murder of two youths who died in a horrific fire in Margate. That's the sentence a judge decided William Bull, 17, would have to serve before being considered for parole.

Daniel Parry, who was cleared of murdering David Slater and James Mullins but convicted of their manslaughter, was jailed for 13 years.

Bull, and 21-year-old Parry, stood with their heads bowed as Judge Warwick McKinnon told them: "What you did that night was hooliganism and mindless violence of the gravest proportion and, no doubt, spurred on to some extent by drink.

"You behaved like gangsters, breaking down the door of someone's home in the dead of night, shouting and swearing, kicking at and breaking up property for some perceived grievance to assault someone inside.

"When you didn't find the person inside, out of frustration and utter wickedness you set fire to the house knowing perfectly well there were people inside their rooms who were, no doubt, afraid to come out.

"What resulted was that two perfectly innocent young men, terrorised by fire that raged, screamed helplessly and, doubtless, in agony before smoke and fumes took them."

Bull was also found guilty at the trial in January of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Mullins' twin brother Michael, who suffered serious burns. Parry was acquitted of that charge.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the thugs smashed their way into flats at Grosvenor Place, Margate, in the early hours and set fire to curtains.

The blaze spread rapidly, trapping the 18-year-old victims on the second floor. Michael Mullins had 20 per cent burns to his body but managed to jump to safety from a window.

The motive for starting the fire on July 26 last year was thought to have been over damage caused to the car of Bull's half sister and stealing some CDs.

Philip St John-Stevens, prosecuting, said it appeared there had been some antagonism between Bull and Peter Walsh, "a friend of a friend" who lived at the flats.

Parry and Bull had earlier clashed with Mr Walsh, known as Peewee, on Margate seafront.

When they went to the flats at about 2.30am there were six people there. A woman living virtually opposite heard Parry and Bull shouting and saw them kick a door off its hinges.

They were seen going upstairs, switching lights on and off. At one point they shouted: "We are going to barricade this door."

They went into a front room where the neighbour could see Bull with a lighter with a continuous flame bending over a sofa. Parry joined in, pulling a net curtain and putting it by the sofa. Some of the occupants heard the door being kicked but were scared to go downstairs. They heard a voice say: "You are all going to die. We are going to get you."

Mr Slater, who lived at Grosvenor Place, and James Mullins, of Palmer Crescent, were unable to escape.

Parry, of Approach Road, and Bull, of Setterfield Road, both Margate, denied two charges of murder and causing Michael Mullins grievous bodily harm with intent. Bull admitted manslaughter, while Parry denied the charges.

A charge against both of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered was withdrawn from the jury by the judge.

Parry admitted he was present but claimed he had nothing to do with torching the building. But Bull said they were both involved in starting the "stupid little fire".

Richard Barraclough, QC for Bull, said it was a tragedy that two young men had lost their lives and another suffered serious injuries. It was also a tragedy that families had been torn apart.

Mr Barraclough said it was inconceivable that Bull had any intention to kill and at the most it must have been an intent to cause serious harm.

The QC said the father of James and Michael Mullins had praised Bull for his honesty during the trial and would like to see him rewarded accordingly.

Mr Mullins said he was bitter but had respect for Bull because he put his hands up and said: "I did it."

Paul Purnell, QC for Parry, said of his client: "He has expressed remorse and this will live with him for the rest of his life."

Judge McKinnon said it was "chilling, if not macabre" that Bull and Parry had been heard laughing as they set the fire.

He told Parry: "I am quite sure you were in this together, despite your denials. But make no mistake, this was a grave case of manslaughter and calls for a substantial custodial sentence.

"You took a highly dangerous risk with dreadful consequences. Those who commit mindless and highly dangerous criminal acts such as in this case must face the consequences.

"A deterrent sentence must be passed as a lesson to you and others who might be minded to engage in such lawlessness."

Judge McKinnon added: "Your remorse and regret at the time appeared to be short-lived before it evaporated and degenerated into a state of justifying denial."

Bull was given a concurrent sentence of nine years for grievous bodily harm with intent.