‘Jealous and controlling’ Sheffield ex set fire to door of former girlfriend’s home

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Joshua Turner, aged 26, of Griffiths Road, High Green, Sheffield, set fire to his ex-partner’s jumper in the doorway of a block of bedsits where she lived on Commercial Road, Barnsley.

Judge Rachael Harrison told the defendant: “What you did was extremely dangerous. It was reckless. The relationship was over and you could not simply accept that and should have walked away.”

Ian Goldsack, prosecuting, said Turner committed the arson just four days after he had damaged two windows at the same property following an argument.

He added the defendant was described by the complainant as controlling and jealous and she wanted to bring the relationship to an end.

The complainant told the defendant to leave her alone after the windows had been broken, according to Mr Goldsack, but she arranged to meet him on January 21, 2020, to try and keep the peace but she changed her mind because she wanted nothing to do with him.

Mr Goldsack said a member of the public later saw something wrapped around the door handle at the property which had been set alight, according to Mr Goldsack, and this man extinguished the fire.

Turner, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to causing damage from January 17, 2020, and to committing arson while being reckless as to whether life would be endangered from January 21, 2020.

Rebecca Stevens, defending, said: “It was an impulsive act. His intention was to burn the jumper and he recognises how reckless and stupid, in his words, his actions were.”

Ms Stevens added drugs had played a part and had affected Turner’s behaviour even though drugs had not previously been a part of the defendant’s life before or after the relationship.

She said Turner is genuinely remorseful, extremely embarrassed and ashamed.

Judge Harrison sentenced Turner to 13 months of custody suspended for 12 months with a Building Better Relationships programe, a rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Turner, who has paid some money to the landlord of the property because of the damage caused, was also ordered to pay £1,100 compensation.