Jail for lover who torched rival’s car in Oakhurst (From Swindon Advertiser)

Jail for lover who torched rival’s car in Oakhurst

8:00pm Friday 18th January 2013 in News

A JEALOUS lover who started a fire at a block of flats in the early hours of the morning has been jailed for five years and seven months.

Terry Blastock of Penhill Drive, launched the revenge attack at a block of flats which was home to the man his former girlfriend left him for.

But after the 36-year-old torched a garage where his rival’s prized car was kept the blaze spread to the residential part of the flats where people were asleep.

And the blaze was so fierce one occupant phoned his father saying: “Dad, I'm going to die.”

In other flats the heat was so intense a smoke alarm and TV were melted and medics found a couple had singed nasal hairs and needed oxygen for the effects of smoke.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court Blastock took the separation from Anneliese Bates badly.

They had lived in flats at Luna Close, Oakhurst, and as their relationship came to an end she started another with Jonathan Linstead, a neighbour in the block.

When that came to an end she got back with Blastock and on Friday, June 9 they had a day out, but he stomped off in a mood later.

Later that evening he told her he was going to burn Mr Linstead’s pride and joy, a Ford Escort XR3 cabriolet which he had lovingly restored to concourse standard.

Mr Meeke said the fire was started in the garage of the block but the defendant knew there were nine apartments above it.

The blaze destroyed everything in the garage, the car’s fuel tank exploded and a propane gas cylinder sent out a jet of flame.

The fire engulfed the hallway and residents found flames outside their doors. Mr Meeke said residents had to be led out by firemen in breathing apparatus as smokefilled the building.

On the top floor James Higgins, 25, who was with his partner Kelly Green, 23, phoned his father and said: “Dad, I'm going to die.”

Soon after the blaze Blastock appeared outside Miss Bates’ new home holding a petrol can saying: “Look what you made me do,” and “Proud of yourself are you?”

Mr Meeke said a breath test a few hours later put him under the drink drive limit and drug analysis showed low levels of narcotics.

Blastock admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client had taken a legal high called MCAT, and could remember little of what took place.

He said he was full of remorse for what he had done and had not meant to harm anyone. just damage the car.

Jailing him Judge Douglas Field said: “I regard this offence of arson as extremely serious and it is in the upper range of seriousness of cases of this sort.”