Exclusive:Drug gang members burned pensioner's Sheffield home to ground leaving her fighting for life
The 78-year-old great-grandma had to be rescued and was rushed into critical care
Members of a drug gang burned a 78-year-old great-grandma’s Sheffield home to the ground over an issue with a rival group who were said to have “disrespected” them.
Callum Walters ordered the arson attack, which was carried out by fellow gang member, Samuel Moffett, at the victim’s home on Oxford Street, Upperthorpe.
Walters was parked up a short distance from the blaze, in the company of a third gang member.
Under the direction of Walters, Moffett set the victim’s door alight using an accelerant, and the blaze spread rapidly.
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.
“I almost lost my life and my home was destroyed due to the arson attack,” said the woman in a statement to Sheffield Crown Court.
She added: “My home was my pride and joy and I worked hard all my life to make my home as nice as I could.”
The woman had to be rescued by firefighters, and despite their prompt arrival on the scene, she suffered serious smoke inhalation and had to be treated in critical care at hospital.
Jailing the gang members for a combined total of 20 years, Judge Charles Thomas said: “Every aspect of her life has been devastated by this fire...she at significant risk of losing her life, had it not been for the prompt arrival of the fire service.”
Prosecutor Gordon Stables said Walters and Moffett 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.
“That group had in some way disrespected the group that Mr Walters and Mr Moffett were associated with,” Mr Stables said during a hearing held on September 9, 2026.
Both Walters and Moffett, formerly of Norfolk Park Road, Norfolk Park, denied arson, but were convicted at the conclusion of a trial at the same court.
Jurors convicted Walters, aged 32, of the more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life, while Moffett, aged 37, was found guilty of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Both defendants have been convicted of multiple offences, including ones relating to drug dealing.
Walters, formerly of Framlingham Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, received an eight-year sentence for offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in 2025.
Meanwhile, Moffett, who has previously been convicted of wounding and possession with intent to supply cocaine, was released from prison just two months before the arson attack.
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.”
He jailed Moffett for eight years, and also made him the subject of a three-year extended licence period.
Judge Thomas noted Moffett’s evidence that he had been told the property was empty when he set the fire.
He concluded, however, that given the blaze was started at 8.37pm - a time of night when there was a high chance of people being home - and the fact that the lights were on in several of the adjoining properties, Moffett should have been aware of the risk.
Judge Thomas said Moffett should also have known not to trust the suggestion no-one was home, because the victim’s home had not been monitored and it came from someone who had spent the day drug dealing.