A ‘SUICIDAL’ dad-of-one broke into his estranged partner's flat, wrapped himself in a duvet, set it alight, threatened to blow the place up when police arrived and barricaded himself in, a court heard.

Drunken Neil McConnell, 22, told officers he was going to turn on the gas - but the property only had electricity.

MORE TOP STORIES:

One brave policewoman went back in and successfully talked him round after officers were ordered to get out because of the possible explosion risk. The flat above was occupied at the time.

Burnley Crown Court was told McConnell is now reunited with girlfriend Jessica Cullen, they are expecting another baby, he has a job and his life is getting back on track.

The defendant, recently of White Grove, Colne, admitted arson and threatening to destroy or damage property and had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

He was spared immediate jail after a judge said he was engaging with the mental health team, had not had a drink since his release from a 56- day jail term in the meantime and was making real progress.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said at 2.45am on February 17, police received a report of a suspected burglary at a house on Alkincoats Road, Colne. The defendant and his partner had split up about two weeks before.

Officers found a window smashed and smoke coming into the living room.

By coincidence, one officer there, PC Anne- Marie Carter, who had previously dealt with McConnell, felt she had quite a good rapport with him, but knew how volatile he could be in drink.

Police looked through the window and a distressed lurcher, jumped through the hole. McConnell was abusive, refused to open the door and officers used an enforcer. A parva spray was discharged and the defendant barricaded himself into a back room.

Mr Parker said McConnell threatened to turn on the gas and blow up the property. A number of officers went in, but were ordered to leave because of the smoke, smell of parva and risk of ‘explosion’.

The defendant, who had 25 offences on his record, caused an estimated £4,000 of damage.

Joe Boyd, defending, said McConnell deeply regretted the offences. He said: "He was very drunk. His sole aim was to seriously injure himself. It was at a time when he was clearly at the lowest ebb possible and his life was a bottomless pit."

McConnell was given 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, with two years' supervision.