“I’m going to firebomb the place”: Sheffield man sentenced after setting fire to family home
A 57-year-old man has been sentenced after he threatened to “finish the job” after setting fire to his family home.
A Sheffield man has avoided prison after he set fire to the garage of his family home and threatened to “firebomb” the place.
Douglas Johnson, 57, of Crumpsall Road, Shirecliffe, started a fire on August 13, 2026, after he had an argument with his “estranged” wife about money.
Mr Andrew Bailey, prosecuting, told the court how the defendant and the victim had been in a relationship for 10 years, and married for nine, but in the period leading up to the offence the pair had separated but continued to live at the same address.
This was due to Johnson’s “alcohol misuse” and “loss of employment”.
At around 9am on August 13, the pair had an argument over money, which resulted in the victim going to stay with a friend, the court heard.
After she had left, the court heard how he set fire to items inside the garage and then left the property. The victim received a missed call from Johnson, so she rang him back in which the defendant answered and said “your house is on fire”.
Johnson said to someone else: “Tell her I’m coming back later to finish the job and I’m going to firebomb the place.”
The court heard how he then travelled to Scarborough, where he “intended to take his own life”.
She phoned 999 and police and fire crews attended the property.
In addition to the fire, Mr Bailey told the court how the victim “discovered damage within the home”, including a bedroom mirror smashed and a damaged picture frame.
Mr Bailey read out the Victim Personal Statement, which said: “The incident has made me feel gobsmacked and scared to be in my own home.”
Johnson was arrested the following day, on August 14, where he answered “no comment” during his police interview and has since been remanded in custody.
Mr Richard Holland, defending, told the court how there was “low value damage caused”.
In regards to his threat of “firebombing” the place, Mr Holland claimed this was “not in fact a serious threat”, given that he had travelled to Scarborough to “end his life”.
The court heard how Johnson pleaded guilty and has “no previous convictions”, and that after spending nearly three months in custody - “he never wishes to go back to prison again”.
Mr Holland said Johnson’s offending was “completely out of character” and “in some way a plea for help”.
When sentencing the defendant, Judge Tony Dunne said: “It seems that for many years you were happily married - but at some point you lost your employment.”
He said how Johnson’s threats “must have been terrifying”.
He also takes into account his psychiatric report that stated the defendant has a “depressive condition caused by significant emotional distress”.
On Friday, November 13, 2026, Douglas Johnson was handed an 18 month community order for one count of arson, one count for threatening to destroy or damage property, and one count for damaging property, at Sheffield Crown Court.
He also gave Johnson a 10 year restraining order which allows for contact through solicitors for legal matters.
Judge Dunne stressed that the reason for the community order is because of the time he has already spent on remand.
He said: “It’s important that you receive support and help to address your emotional issues”.