
A man who tried to trap his neighbours in a flat and burn it down with them inside has been jailed.
Jason Richmond, from Dukinfield was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday, 3 May.
In August 2016, one of Richmond’s neighbours became aware that he had made derogatory and threatening comments about her behind her back. She told him that she was aware of the threats he had made and that if he continued then she would call the police.
A few days later the woman and her partner were both awoken by a smoke alarm.
They tried to open the door but, as the room filled with smoke, it became clear that a rope had been tied to the other side of the door to prevent it from being opened. Fortunately, they managed to escape.
On attendance police and the fire service found a canister that contained accelerant, a zippo lighter and a section of rope outside the door of the flat.
The 45-year-old was jailed for 8 years and 6 months in prison after pleading guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.