[A] Barrow man has been sent to prison after he threatened to burn down his own flat.
Michael Byrne, 62, of Broad Close, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to making threats to commit arson with intent to danger life.
He was handed the sentence at Preston Crown Court on Thursday (November 16th).
Police were called to Broad Close at 7.20pm on June 12th of this year, where Byrne had armed himself with items including knives, sticks and bars.
He threatened to blow up the flat by inferring he would set fire to the gas supply.
Inspector Jim Bailey said: “This was a large-scale police operation that had a significant drain on emergency services resources, with the Fire Service, North West Ambulance Service, and two gas engineers also attending the scene as the block of flats was evacuated and the gas isolated.
“Efficient and collaborative working meant that this incident did not turn into the disaster it could have been, and that thankfully no-one was hurt. Justice has now been done and I am pleased that Byrne has answered for what he did.”
