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Craig Finn, after his leg amputation (Picture:North News)

A man had his leg amputated after a friend set him on fire while he was sleeping as part of a ‘joke’.

Craig Finn, 25, had just moved into a new flat in Spennymoor, County Durham when he invited a few friends over for some drinks in February last year.

Later on, as he was asleep, his friend James Gillibrand, 24, set him on fire as a ‘prank’, which left Craig with third degree burns.


Surgeons were forced to amputate his leg below the knee and kept him in a coma for an entire month in Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary.



Photos of Craig were even taken immediately after the incident, showing him lying in agony with burns on his legs.

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Craig was in a coma for a month following the incident (Picture: North News)

One of the images taken of Craig after the incident (Picture: North News)

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Craig, who only realised he had lost his leg after coming out of the coma, says his life will never be the same, and that he does not want to reconcile with his former friend.

He said: ‘I have to wake up every day, get out of bed and see that I have no leg and put on a fake one.’

Gillibrand pleaded guilty to causing GBH without intent and committing arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, but denied other charges at Durham Crown Court.

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(Picture: North News)

Judge Simon Hickey told Gillibrand: ‘Given the gravity of the injuries there can be no argument against a sentence that would relieve you of your liberty.

‘I can see no reason in granting you the bail what so ever.

‘You may as well start serving that sentence now, every day in custody counts.’

He will be remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on October 8.

Craig Finn after his recovery (Picture: North News)