Man set light to Ilford Mormon church after ‘go to hell’ tirade
A man in “bad need” of psychiatric treatment torched a church while a service was being held, a court heard.
Gary Pammen, 45, set ablaze the Mormon church in Ilford, before hurling a tirade of abuse at the congregation cowering inside.
Raging Pammen – described as a loner – screamed: “Mormons are going to hell.
“You have to become Catholic and this is just an American church.
“This church is false – you don’t believe in Jesus.”
Pammen started the fire by igniting an accelerant in the entranceway of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel in Audrey Road on August 17, 2008.
He was arrested and bailed before later admitting arson.
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Snaresbrook Crown Court heard doctors have recommended locking up Pammen in a secure hospital.
But Judge Georges Khayat QC adjourned the case after further psychiatric reports were not prepared in time for his sentence hearing.
Judge Khayat said Pammen was in “bad need of treatment and a secure environment” but extended his bail to October 19 as no hospital bed was available.
The judge ordered doctors to produce a report on Pammen as soon as possible.
“Surely someone at the hospital or clinic must know what’s happened,” said the judge.
Pammen, of Wall End Road, East Ham, east London, admitted arson.
