Student Set On Fire At Party

Glenn Collins

A Chester student is fighting for his life after he was soaked in rum and set alight as he slept at a party.

Glenn Collins, 19, studying sports science at the University of Chester, is currently on life support.

He was set on fire while he was asleep at a friends flat on Berry Street in Manchester city centre. Police believe that it was a prank which went horribly wrong.

He was celebrating the end of his first year at the University of Chester.

After the incident, police were called to the scene and found that the boy had severe burns to his upper body.

He was taken to Wythenshawe Burn Clinic at 4am on Thursday, June 10 with third degree burns on his face and body

Although he is heavily sedated and suffering from chest and lung infections, a hospital spokesman has said that he is "making good and steady progress".

His mother Susan Collins, said: "It is a cruel, evil thing to do.

"He has deep burns all over his body and will be disfigured forever.

"I've had to keep the family away from the hospital.

"Seeing Glenn is too horrific."

Australian Jack Brown, 20, and an American Rohan Foley, 21, have been arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. Both also suffered burns.

Glenn’s mother said: “Glenn is such an intelligent, amazing son.

"He was due home from university on Sunday. We had a surprise party planned.

“I have a hundred reasons to cry, but I will find a thousand reasons to smile.”