Telford man jailed over petrol threat

A 44-year-old Shropshire man who poured petrol outside the door of a Telford woman's home as she celebrated her birthday with friends and family has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul Halpin, of Dunsheath, Hollinswood, appeared in Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

He admitted affray by using or threatening unlawful violence towards another person on May 24 last year. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said the incident took place at the address of Victoria Thompson after a guest at her birthday gathering had exchanged words with Halpin's wife and son.

He said the guest had gone outside the house to dispose of a nappy and was jumped on by the Halpin family dogs, she asked that they call them off but they didn't.

"Victoria Thompson came downstairs to see what all the fuss was about and saw the son of Mr Halpin breaking a glass and saying 'wait till my father gets home'," Mr Soulsby added.

The court heard Halpin later came through the front door carrying a petrol can, pouring petrol in the hallway, banging on Miss Thompson's door and telling her he would set fire to the petrol if they did not come out.

Mr Soulsby said the door was barricaded by a sofa until the police arrived and arrested Halpin.

Mr Desmond Parry, for Halpin, said: "He indicates to us that he is extremely remorseful for what he has done and he is ashamed of what he has done."

Judge Robin Onions warned Halpin that if that petrol had caught fire he could have been facing charges that would have seen him behind bars for the "rest of his natural life".