STALKER JAILED FOR THROWING PETROL BOMBS AT SOUTHAMPTON HOUSE
A man has been sentenced to eleven years and nine months in prison following an attack involving petrol bombs on a house in Southampton linked to an ex-partner's friend.Ashley James Pankewycz, 31, from Southampton’s Andersons Road, pleaded guilty to arson, having acted recklessly about the potential risk to life.
The incident occurred on Millbrook Road on the 11th of September, 2020.
Court documents revealed that Pankewycz had fashioned three petrol bombs out of lager bottles and hurled them at the target property.
This resulted in the front garden catching fire and damage to the door and window.
He was detained the same day, and police searches of his home and vehicle found the same bottles, lighter fluid, and a petrol can that was only half full.
Evidence presented in court also detailed that he had stalked his former partner prior to the arson.
In July 2020, he entered her flat without permission and sent her numerous texts, including photographs.
On 24 July 2020, he visited her flat uninvited again and stayed for about three hours, refusing to leave.
During this time, he also connected with her Google Chromecast via Bluetooth and played music into her home.
Arrested on suspicion of these offences, Pankewycz was released on bail with restrictions against contacting the woman, which he broke on 28 August 2020 by returning to her address.
He faced charges of arson with the intent to endanger life and stalking.
On Friday, 31 April, he was sentenced to a total of eleven years and nine months in jail, with an additional five years on licence.
He was also sentenced to six months for stalking, with that term running alongside the others.
