House doused in petrol after an argument

Nathan William Lee, of Furness Crescent, Leigh, admitted causing criminal damage when he appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court.

Katie Beattie, prosecuting, said that the 23-year-old had been drinking with his fiance, Ashley Rigby, on Valentine’s night but the follow morning, he accused her of no longer loving him. He then found a can, full of petrol, in the garden and threw the contents at the front of the house, in Mather Lane, Leigh.

Mrs Beattie said: “Ms Rigby shouted at him, asking what he was doing, but he wasn’t listening. She said she would call the police, but he laughed in a sarcastic manner. He threw the petrol at the front of the house and she used her hand to slap him on his face to stop him.”

As the police arrived, he was chased and officers eventually caught him. When interviewed he said he had been drinking but when they got home they had argued. He could not remember the incident, stating that he could have done it.

Mrs Beattie added: “Ms Rigby told the police that he had never acted like this before. She said she knew he had a lighter on him and she was scared he would set the house on fire, with her inside. She didn’t know what he was going to do next.”

Glen Wrigley, defending, said: “He was stupid by his own admission and was remorseful. There was no insinuation he got a lighter out and would have set fire to the house.”

Lee was released on conditional bail and will appear at Wigan Magistrates’ Court on March 9 following a pre-sentence probation report.