Man jailed for pouring petrol over ex's son and setting house on fire
He carried out the attack after his relationship broke down
A Bognor Regis man who threw petrol on his ex-partner's teenage son and set a house on fire in Hampshire has been jailed for six years.
Darren Waring carried out the attack at an address in Park Gate on December 3rd last year.
Hampshire Police said the 55-year-old, of Aldwick Road, had become angered by the recent breakdown of his relationship.
He had filled up a jerry can with fuel at a BP petrol station in Park Gate at around 8.25pm that evening before making his way to his ex-partner's address.
Once there, Waring began shouting abuse at her before petrol over her car and making a trial towards the house.
Following this, he then shockingly poured petrol over his ex-partner’s teenage son whilst assaulting him and making threats.
During this he also attempted to spark a lighter, before both victims were able to escape to a neighbour’s house.
Meanwhile, Waring continued to pour petrol over the doorway to his ex-partner’s house and over the floor in the lounge, before lighting it.
Firefighters attended to extinguish the blaze, and Waring was arrested by police officers. The teenage boy was taken to hospital and released the following day, however he returned on December 5th after becoming unwell – suspected to have been caused by ingesting petrol.
He was then released again the following day.
Waring was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday (May 29th) after previously pleading guilty at a previous hearing to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and making threats to kill.
DC Heather Milsom of Hampshire Constabulary, who investigated this case, said:
"This was a shocking display of domestic violence which left Waring’s ex-partner and her family extremely distressed, and put their lives at risk of serious harm.
"His actions could have killed someone that night.
"The bravery of the victims in this case, one of whom was under the age of 18 at the time, must not be understated.
"They have endured something incredibly traumatic, but their courage has resulted in the dangerous man responsible now being brought to justice."