AN estranged partner who threatened to blow up and set fire to the Warrington hostel where his ex-girlfriend was staying has been jailed.
Darren Melton, who has had alcohol problems, also threatened that he would set the premises, James Lee House, on fire.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Melton had been in a relationship for several years and it was fine until his dad died and he took solace in drink.
“Issues consequently arose in their relationship leading earlier this year to domestic violence protection order being issued and the relationship ending”, said Derek Jones, prosecuting.
However his former partner wanted to see if his behaviour had improved and went to his home and she started seeing him again.
They were together in Warrington town centre about 9am on May 3 when he thought she was about to collide with another shopper. “He grabbed the upper part of her arm very tightly, pulling her with force out of the way.
“She thought he was doing it unnecessarily, she had a thick coat on at the time but it did cause bruising to the side of her upper arm.”
Mr Jones said that the next day the couple argued, with Melton accusing her of sleeping with other men.
“Because of that she realised he had not changed his ways and on May 6 she decided enough was enough and she left his address and returned to the Salvation Army hostel where she had a room.
Half an hour later he was outside the premises, where she had a ground floor room, and was shouting abuse including calling her ‘a slag.’
He was also heard by a couple of witnesses shouting, ‘I’ll blow this place up.’ Staff went outside and he left but returned shortly afterwards and was threatening that he would set it on fire, said Mr Jones.
One of the social workers went to the woman’s room and while there saw Melton at the window shouting, ‘I’ll burn this f…ing house down.’
The police were called and he was arrested outside the hostel. When interviewed he answered ‘no comment.’
Melton, 42, of Leonard Street, Fairfield and Howley, pleaded guilty to common assault, threatening to damage property, threatening behaviour and harassment.
The court heard that he has appeared in court on 28 previous occasions. He appeared via video link from prison.
Jim Smith, defending, said that alcohol had been the catalyst but he has been de-toxifying while on remand.
He said that the assault had been reckless and there had been no physical confrontation at the hostel, he just wanted her to hear the threats and had no intention of harming her. He hopes to move to Wales and start a new life.
A probation officer told the court that Melton had completed a six month alcohol treatment requirement order but only sporadically and his motivation had been poor,
Jailing him for eight months Judge Robert Trevor pointed out that he had made serious threats and had harassed the victim against whom he had previously committed offences. He imposed a three year restraining order.
