Domestic violence victim in ‘emotional turmoil’ used petrol to set car alight in Shoreham

He appeared at Hove Crown Court for sentence

Nigel Moore, from Pond Hill, Cliffe, Rochester, had been in a relationship with a man from Shoreham in which there had been ‘a number of domestic incidents’, a court heard.

After a night of drinking Moore turned up at the man’s home in Shoreham, poured petrol under a Kia Picanto that was parked outside and set it alight.

Moore, 53, pleaded guilty to arson relating to the June 2018 incident and was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Friday.

Prosecutor Beverly Cripps said: “At between 11.30pm and midnight that night, the victim was woken up by a large bang.

“She saw a glow coming from where her car was parked. It was on fire.”

The blaze damaged the car beyond repair and left the victim in a state of constant fear, the court heard.

In a statement, she said: “The incident has made me feel anxious in my own home.

“Every noise outside I fear the worst.

“I keep thinking about what might have happened. Both our lives could have been put in danger.”

Defence barrister Richard Cherrill said: “The defendant is mortified, deeply sorry and in a state of some lack of understanding as to how he could have allowed himself to do something so awful.

“He got himself in an emotional turmoil.

“He was subjected routinely to physical abuse by his partner and he simply lost his self-control.”

The court heard that he reported the domestic matters to police but became frustrated at the time being taken.

Sentencing Moore, Recorder Adrian Chaplain said: “The horror of fire is almost literally elemental.

“The terror that fire strikes into the hearts of just about anybody when it is unexpected, when it comes as part of a criminal attack is overwhelming.”

He took Moore’s good character into account and decided not to send him to immediately to jail.

Moore was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, rehabilitation, pay £1,149 in compensation and pay prosecution costs of £1,500.