Telford man threatened to set himself alight, court told
Tuesday 22nd March 2011, 7:09PM GMT.
A Telford man who tried to buy paraffin and lighter fuel and threatened to set himself and his flat ablaze has been given a suspended prison sentence when he appeared in court.
John Simpson, 35, was said to have been drinking heavily before the incidents at Brookside in February this year.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday Recorder Nigel Baker QC told Simpson that he had behaved in an “irresponsible and potentially dangerous way”.
He said Simpson had caused people anxiety, due to depression and had resorted to drink.
“You can consider yourself very fortunate not to be going straight to prison,” said the judge.
Simpson, of Burford, Brookside, was given a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months , and placed on a supervision order and must complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Simpson went to a supermarket at Brookside to buy paraffin, but was told to go to a garage.
He said Simpson was drunk and was escorted from the premises after asking for lighter fuel because he wanted set himself and his flat alight.
Later he was seen by police at his flat with his family when Simpson continued to threaten to “burn the place down” and “blow everyone up”.
Mr Adrian Roberts, for Simpson, said his client had started drinking because of domestic problems and lost his job at Christmas and had now lost his tenancy.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
