William, who is of below average intelligence, is in dispute with his neighbours, the Smiths, because the weeds in their unkempt garden constantly spread to his. Late one Saturday night, whilst the Smiths are asleep, William creeps into their garden, pours petrol on the weeds and sets fire to them. Due to very high winds that night, the fire quickly spreads out of control and catches on some curtains that are blowing through a window of the house. William sees what is happening but simply returns to his own home.

Mr Smith is killed in the fire which soon rages out of control.

William hears the screams of Smith Junior and is overcome with remorse. He races to the house in time to save the child who is severely burned. He puts Junior into his car and heads for the nearest hospital. He drives very badly but he is so concerned about the child that he is completely unaware of the risks involved in his driving. Williams crashes into a parked car and Junior dies in the accident.

Mrs Smith survives the fire but suffers permanent and horrific scarring. Unable to live with this or the loss of her husband and child, she kills herself six months after the incident.

Advise William as to his liability for homicide.