Arsonist who firebombed great gran's Sheffield home threatened in prison after being labelled a "grass"
“He has been subject to ongoing threats and intimidation”
A gang member who torched a pensioner’s Sheffield home has previously been threatened in prison over claims he has “grassed” on his co-defendant.
Callum Walters, aged 32, ordered the arson attack, which was carried out by fellow gang member, Samuel Moffett, at the victim’s home on Oxford Street, Upperthorpe.
It left the elderly victim trapped, and destroyed her family home, along with 30 years of happy memories with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, within minutes.
During Walters and Moffett’s sentencing hearing, Sheffield Crown Court was told that Moffett is “considered a grass” over his conduct during the course of their trial, at the conclusion of which both men were convicted of arson.
Moffett’s barrister, Andrew Bailey, said his client had essentially acted as the “main plank of evidence against his co-accused.”
Referring to Moffett’s time in prison on remand, Mr Bailey continued: “He has been subject to ongoing threats and intimidation.”
He implored Judge Charles Thomas to take such threats, and the likelihood of them continuing, into consideration when passing sentence.
Jailing Moffett, aged 37, for eight years, Judge Thomas conceded that Moffett is likely to find custody “more onerous because of the perception he is a grass.”
“I’ve heard that threats were made to you during the trial,” Judge Thomas said during their sentencing hearing on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).
Prosecutor Gordon Stables said Walters and Moffett, , formerly of Norfolk Park Road, Norfolk Park, are members of a drug gang, which, at the time of the blaze in November 2024, were said to be having “issues with a rival group.”
He told the court that the complainant’s grandson - who, on occasion, had lived with her at her Oxford Street home - was said to be linked to the rival group.
The 78-year-old complainant had to be rescued from the blazing property, and Judge Thomas said he believed she could have lost her life had it not been for the prompt arrival of the fire service.
Jurors convicted Walters, formerly of Framlingham Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, of the more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life, while Moffett was found guilty of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Jailing Walters for 12 years, with a three-year extended licence period, Judge Thomas told him: “You were prepared to order the arson of a home that endangered the life of a vulnerable elderly woman...to further the interests of an organised crime group.”
Moffett was also made the subject of a three-year extended licence period, bringing his total sentence to one of 11 years.