2015: STUDENT JAILED FOR ARSON AT EX-GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE
A young man has been sentenced to 39 months behind bars after setting fire to garbage bags placed against his ex-girlfriend’s back door.At Bolton Crown Court, it was detailed that Damon Daniels, aged 21, had been involved in a relationship with Bolton University student Terri Scoots, which ended bitterly on October 13, 2013.
Just two weeks following the breakup, he received a suspended 16-week sentence for charges including assault, theft, criminal damage, and carrying a knife in Dorset Street, Bolton, along with a restraining order that barred him from contacting her.
Prosecutor Stuart McCracken explained that on the same day, Daniels disobeyed the court order by messaging Miss Scoots via Facebook, to which she responded.
He stated that she understood he was going through a tough time but that Daniels’ messages turned threatening, with him wishing her to “burn in hell,” threatening to pour petrol on her, and declaring that he wanted her to “burn for the rest of her life.” The court was told that on January 21 of the previous year, Miss Scoots was at her home when she and her housemate went out for pizza.
Shortly after their return, smoke was seen billowing from rubbish bags set on fire near the back door, and the tyres on her car and a bicycle belonging to a friend were slashed.
Investigation revealed that Daniels' mobile device was in the area at that time.
He denied setting the fire, alleging that she had hacked his Facebook account to send the abusive messages.
Daniels, who lives on Moss Park Road, Stretford, admitted to charges of arson, endangering life recklessly, and violating restraining orders.
He was sentenced to 39 months in prison.
The assault and subsequent events caused such trauma to Miss Scoots that she decided to quit her studies and leave Bolton permanently.
