WIRRAL MAN TOOK REVENGE ON CHEATING PARTNER BY SETTING FIRE TO THEIR FLAT
A WIRRAL man took revenge on his cheating partner by setting fire to their flat and smashing up her car with a baseball bat, a court heard.Terence Kilbride, 46, told police officers "I've lost my head" when they arrested him on Laird Street in Birkenhead on December 4 2024 after he was seen smashing a car's headlights in the early hours of the morning.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Paul Blasbury, prosecuting, said officers had responded to reports that a flat on Laird Street had been set alight and a man had been seen "acting erratically".
They arrested Kilbride at the scene and he was found to be carrying a large kitchen knife in his waistband.
He told officers: "I just lost my head - I've been drinking and found out my girlfriend had been cheating on me with my uncle.
"I smashed her car up and set fire to her clothes." Three fire appliances attended the scene and investigators found that three separate fires had been started in the lounge of a first floor flat in a two storey terraced property.
Mr Blasbury said: "A large couch, an internal door, an officer chair and some clothing were damaged by the fire and a window pane was broken due to the effects of the heat and there was severe smoke damage.
"The defendant's partner reported to the fire investigator that he had telephoned her around 5.30am and told her he had set fire to her coat and that the flat was on fire and he'd smashed her car." The court heard Kilbride has nine previous convictions for 16 offences including assault and possession of drugs.
Martine Snowden, defending, said Kilbride's behaviour was "fuelled by a combination of drink, drugs and deteriorating mental health." She said: "He just lost control of himself and behaved in an appalling way.
Ever since he was remanded he has been able to accept the reality of the situation and has got himself a trusted position as a cleaner on the wing and built up good relationships." Sentencing Kilbride, who pleaded guilty to offences of criminal damage, arson, possession of a bladed article and possession of an offensive weapon, Judge Gary Woodhall, said: "You told police you'd 'lost your head' and in your words said you'd 'been on a bender' and consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine.
"The author of your pre-sentence report says you pose a high risk of violence towards partners and others and it is inevitable you will serve a custodial sentence." Judge Woodhall sentenced Kilbride, who appeared via video link from custody, to serve three years and four months in prison.
