Spurned caretaker torched minister's house

The Rev Jean McNeile, of Nazareth Unitarian Church, Padiham, had tried to let alcoholic Peter Simpson, 58, down gently after he misread the signals and declared his love while she was giving him grief counselling, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But, feeling "betrayed and jealous" when she went on holiday to America with a friend, the defendant repeatedly vandalised her car and set fire to her home in Ingham Street, Padiham.

Simpson, said to also suffer a depressive disorder, poured accelerant through the Rev McNeile's letter box and lit it, destroying the door, scorching walls and smoke damaging the house.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was spared jail, after a judge said there were exceptional circumstances which meant he did not need to send him to prison.

Judge Jonathan Woolman said he had read extensive letters written to him on Simpson's behalf, including some from members of the church committee, all of whom spoke highly of him.

The judge said he could find exceptional circumstances because of the defendant's guilty plea, as the offences were out of character and because he had a long history of depression and alcohol addiction.

Simpson has undergone detoxification in hospital and had attended Alcoholics Anonymous.

The judge said: "The most important matter is your recognition that you had to change".

Simpson, of Padiham Road, Burnley, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and damage on February 24. He was given a three-year community order with supervision and the addressing substance related offending programme.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said Miss McNeile would say the defendant's drink problem seemed to have been made worse at the beginning of February when it was understood a close friend died.

She offered comfort and counselling in his grief but the defendant misconstrued that, said he loved her and asked if there was any prospect of a relationship, Mr McEntee said.

Mr McEntee said Miss McNeile tried to let Simpson down gently but after that his behaviour deteriorated.

The court was told that he was drunk at a church function and on February 18 she got a series of abusive calls from him. He told her: "I am coming down to get you".

Mr McEntee said that the following morning Simpson phoned three times apologising and when he threatened self-harm Miss Neile begged him to seek help.

The prosecutor said Miss Neile went on holiday on February 19, leaving friend Cathryn Scholes house-sitting.

In the early evening of February 24, around 6pm, Simpson had been seen in Ingham Street.

He caused damage to Miss Neile's car three times, scratching it and putting through the rear window.

A little later a witness had seen the defendant looking dishevelled and carrying a two litre plastic bottle, near to the minister's home.

Mr McEntee said at about 8.30pm people in the street became aware of smoke coming from the front of Miss McNeile's home.

One young man, concerned there may be somebody in the house, kicked in the door and smoke billowed out.

Simpson came back into the area, was challenged about starting the fire and said he was at the house as he wanted to check if the lady inside was okay.

Mr McEntee said: "The Crown from that draw the inference it may not have been clear in the defendant's mind whether Miss McNeile or her house-sitter were in the house when the fire was started."

The prosecutor said emergency services were called and the defendant made off.

Mr McEntee said after the incidents, the minister had received counselling and her own counselling services were interrupted.

Martin Hackett, defending, said his client had an addiction and was now dealing with it.

Mr Hackett said his client knew Miss McNeile was away on holiday, but was unaware anyone was looking after the house.

Mr Hackett continued: "He accepts he became infatuated with this lady.

"He was drinking at the time. In many ways the drink caused him to misread all the signals, to become jealous and to act in this very serious manner. "