Man Sentenced For Setting Fire To Girlfriend's Hillsborough Home

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Somerville man was sentenced to 14 years in state prison for setting fire to his girlfriend's Hillsborough home while eight people slept inside in December 2018.

Patrick M. Hammond, 36, of Somerville Borough was sentenced on Wednesday and will have to serve 85 percent of the term without parole under the No Early Release Act, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

Hammond was previously found guilty on second-degree aggravated arson, nine counts of third-degree endangering another person, four counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of third-degree animal cruelty, and a disorderly person offense of criminal mischief.

Hammond was found not guilty of first-degree attempted murder.

During his sentencing, Judge Michael Rogers extended Hammond's prison sentence due his prior criminal record. Rogers also ordered Hammond to make restitution to the victims for the payment of insurance deductibles and to the Township of Hillsborough for the damage he caused to the police station.

On Dec. 30, 2018 at about 12:40 a.m. Hammond set a fire to the home on Starview Drive just off Amwell Road in the Flagtown section of Hillsborough. Read More: Ex-Boyfriend Charged With Setting Fire To Hillsborough Home: SCPO

Nine people, who were inside the home, were able to escape. However, two family pet cats died of smoke inhalation, said Robertson.

Hammond set the fire following an argument he had with his on-again/off-again girlfriend, who lived in the home with her two young children, said Robertson.

After setting the fire, Hammond fled the fire scene without calling 911 and took pictures of the house on fire with his cell phone and sent them to friends, said Robertson.

Hammond planned to get picked up and on his way was picked up by police. While at the Hillsborough Police Station he damaged a sheetrock wall by slamming his head into the wall. His sneakers were seized from him which tested positive for a flammable liquid, said Robertson.

Hammond has remained in custody since December 30, 2018.

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