A Warrington man who risked causing an explosion after damaging a woman’s gas meter, endangering her life following an argument at her home, has been jailed for more than six years.
Steven Jones, of Parker Street, Warrington, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, 27 July, where he was jailed for six years and eight months.
The 40-year-old had pleaded guilty to criminal damage – recklessly endangering life.
On 20 April 2026, Jones had been having an argument over the phone with the complainant, and during the conversation, he attended her home address.
He then opened the gas meter cupboard outside her flat and broke the pipe, causing a gas leak.
Jones then told the complainant; “When you open your front door and light a cigarette up, you will go boom.”
Police attended the scene and there was a strong smell of gas. A gas engineer also attended and made the gas mains safe.
Readings indicated a level of gas which would have caused a threat to life, and a small spark would have triggered an explosion.
Jones was arrested the following day.
DC Williams said: “Jones’ actions could easily have caused an explosion, injuring or potentially killing people, all because of an argument. Thankfully, the incident was resolved before anyone got hurt, but the outcome could easily have been very different.
“This reckless, dangerous and calculated behaviour which risked people’s lives has now landed him behind bars for a considerable length of time and I welcome the sentence handed to him.”
