2016: CRADLEY HEATH MAN ROBERT GORDON IS JAILED FOR STARTING FLAT FIRE
A resident of Cradley Heath deliberately caused a fire inside his former partner’s flat following the end of their four-year relationship, which left him with nothing.The incident occurred after a night of heavy drinking when Robert Gordon set fire to a cushion in the apartment on Sydney Road, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The blaze extended to a chair and a rubber-backed rug, resulting in significant smoke damage to the first floor of the property.
Both Gordon and his ex-partner needed medical treatment for smoke inhalation.
Prosecutor Howard Searle revealed that Gordon had warned the woman by saying, "I am going to burn you out," before he started the fire.
Fortunately, neither was seriously hurt.
When questioned by police, Gordon said, "I have lost everything because of her and she is going to lose everything as well." The 62-year-old, who currently has no fixed address, admitted to charges of arson and acting recklessly in a way that could endanger life.
He received an 18-month prison sentence and a 10-year restraining order that bans him from contacting the woman.
Judge Michael Challinor noted that Gordon was heavily intoxicated during the incident and that his actions were planned and deliberate.
He warned that if the fire had taken hold, it could have destroyed the entire building, and linked Gordon’s alcohol abuse to a personal crisis.
The judge explained that the end of Gordon’s 35-year marriage, along with losing his home and employment, had placed him in a very difficult emotional state.
He also stated that such behavior was out of character for him and warned of the dangerous influence of alcohol.
The woman, in her victim impact statement, expressed her fear of future encounters and her concern about protecting herself after Gordon’s potential release.
In his defense, lawyer Simon Warlock acknowledged that Gordon recognized the foolishness of his actions and was intent on turning his life around.
