Poole man jailed for arson and explosion in revenge plot

POOLE MAN JAILED FOR ARSON AND EXPLOSION IN REVENGE PLOT

A man responsible for a severe act of arson and an explosion was recently convicted in Bournemouth following his deliberate attempt to cause a large gas explosion at his former residence in Poole, Dorset.

Ian Clowes, aged 68, was scheduled to face eviction on the day he set off a powerful blast described by court authorities as an 'almighty explosion,' which nearly led to the deaths of himself and his ex-wife.

The explosion was so intense that it tore off the roof of the house, releasing a thick cloud of black smoke into the surroundings.

Court proceedings revealed that Clowes, who sustained significant burns and spent six weeks in a medically induced coma, had opened the valve on a gas canister in his all-electric flat before igniting it.

Surveillance footage showed the terrifying moment when the house exploded, with witnesses and neighbors describing the scene as horrifying.

His ex-wife, Elaine Clowes, aged 63, was rescued from the debris alive but injured, though her life was spared.

The court heard that Clowes’s actions stemmed from malice, reportedly driven by jealousy and an attempt to prevent the property from being transferred to his former wife.

Clowes admitted to recklessly setting the arson, and a judge sentenced him to five years and four months in prison.

He was also ordered to pay additional compensation to his ex-wife and a neighbor present during the incident.

His lawyer stated that Clowes 'never intended to harm anyone,' adding that his injuries had affected his memory of the event.

The judge described the act as 'wicked' and motivated by malice, emphasizing the extensive harm inflicted and the psychological toll on the victims.