A BUTCHER ‘OVERCOME WITH JEALOUSY’ SET HIS WIFE’S CAFÉ ON FIRE AFTER CHASING HER WITH A KNIFE AND STEALING HER PASSPORT
Paul Armstrong, aged 61, was captured on CCTV footage pouring an accelerant over the Foodelicious café in Moordown before igniting it, which led to the upstairs tenant evacuating her home.At Bournemouth Crown Court, prosecutor Holly Fagan stated that Armstrong and his wife had been married for 16 years before she opened her own business, and their relationship had since become strained.
The wife was preparing to travel back to Malaysia, her home country, to visit her family for the first time in eight years.
However, on January 30, 2024, Armstrong stole her passport along with £7,000 in cash.
He later returned the passport and part of the money, claiming he thought she would leave and not return.
Nevertheless, Ms Fagan confirmed that £3,500 remains missing.
Armstrong was also accused of stalking his wife from May 6 to July 31, during which he was observed tampering with her car and later was found with a tracking device.
On July 12, he entered the café at 2am using a key he had copied and stole three SD cards from CCTV cameras.
Although these were later recovered, on July 23 around 8:30am, he returned armed with a blade measuring between 15cm and 20cm.
According to Ms Fagan, the victim was so frightened that she fled the shop when Armstrong chased her with the knife.
He eventually stopped, allowing her to call the police.
On July 29 at about 1am, a woman living above the café on Wimborne Road heard noises and a “small explosion.” She saw smoke and flames and was forced to hold her breath passing through the fumes as she evacuated.
CCTV footage showed Armstrong entering the café, pouring an accelerant, and setting it on fire.
In a victim impact statement, the wife said Armstrong behaved like a narcissist by withholding her money and passport, expressing surprise at his actions after 16 years of marriage.
During court proceedings, defence solicitor Richard Tutt highlighted that Armstrong had worked diligently owning Armstrong Butchers on Wimborne Road and had a clean criminal record.
He explained that Armstrong was expelled from school at 14 and had been working in butchery since.
Tutt suggested that Armstrong believed his wife was having an affair and wanted to cause her difficulty in her café, which she helped establish.
He acknowledged Armstrong's embarrassment and regret over his actions, noting that he has been working in prison to help other inmates.
Judge Robert Pawson remarked that Armstrong was driven by jealousy, whether justified or not, and that such feelings, stemming from paranoia or delusion, did not excuse his conduct.
He emphasised that even if the wife was unfaithful, it wouldn't justify the violent reactions.
The judge criticised Armstrong for acting recklessly, risking the life of the occupant of the flat above the café, who could have been fatally burned in the blaze.
The defendant, from Pine Road, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after admitting to charges of arson, possessing a bladed article, non-dwelling burglary, stalking, and two counts of theft.
A seven-year restraining order was imposed against the victim.
Additionally, £900 of confiscated cash was ordered to be divided equally between the two victims.
