ARSONIST CAUGHT OUT BECAUSE OF HIS BIG EARS BRANDED 'SILLY LITTLE BOY' FOR REVENGE ATTACK ON EX
A “silly little boy” who torched his ex’s car and poured paint over it was easily identified thanks to his “protruding ears”.Callum Cooke, 21, had been with his former girlfriend for just one month when their relationship broke down in November 2020.
Sheffield Crown Court was told he had taken amphetamines and was in a “bad mood” when he stabbed all four tyres on his ex’s Ford Ka and poured paint on it.
A neighbour watched as he smashed the windows and, before Cooke realized he was being watched, he also smashed the windows of the neighbour’s house.
Prosecutor Ian West added Cooke then went on to smash his ex-partner's windows at her home and was overheard shouting “you’re dead”.
Mr West stated Cooke, whose address was given as HMP Doncaster, was easily identified by the neighbour thanks to his “protruding ears”.
In December, Cooke sent threatening WhatsApp messages to his ex, warning he'd torch her car.
He carried out the arson attack, leaving the vehicle completely gutted, depriving her and her children of transport.
His ex-partner stated in a victim impact statement that she found it impossible to sleep and would have to move out of her current home.
Rebecca Tanner, acting as Cooke’s defence, revealed he struggled with drugs and that he had been on amphetamines at the time of the offences.
She added he was “emotionally immature” and tends to “throw himself” into new relationships.
Cooke admitted to arson and criminal damage and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Judge David Dixon commented: “It is said in reports you are immature.
Quite clearly you are and you behave like a silly little boy.” He also criticized Cooke for resting his legs on the table during sentencing.
Additionally, Cooke was made subject to a 10-year restraining order.
