A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for drunkenly producing a lighter after making chilling threats to fetch petrol and “light up” a Carlisle office where people are helped to quit substance misuse.
Gary Colin Allan a 55-year-old man with 144 past crimes to his name, was back in trouble in late May.
Allan, of Brookside Place, Carlisle, attended the Castle Street city centre base of Recovery Steps, a drug and alcohol recovery service.
The city’s crown court heard Allan was shouting and abusive before vowing to “get some petrol and ‘light the place up with you all in it’.”
As staff tried to defuse the situation, Allan became increasingly irate, squaring up to one male employee and asking for a fight. “He then lit a lighter only inches from the staff member’s face and repeated his threat to return and burn the place down,” said prosecutor Steve McNally.
When told that the police would be called, Allan reacted aggressively, threatening to smash staff members’ cars, slamming a door and throwing a fire extinguisher.
When arrested the following day, Allan was abusive and obstructive at a police station where he attempted to head-butt one officer. He later admitted charges of threatening to destroy property, affray and assaulting an emergency worker.
Allan, who admitted his own behaviour was “atrocious” had a 15-month jail term suspended for 18 months. Allan must continue to carry out rehabilitation work with probation staff.
Referring to Recovery Steps staff, Recorder Hawks said to Allan: “They have a lot to put up with. They are there to try and help people. What they don’t need is the sort of behaviour that you chose to indulge in on that day. You were abusive. You were unpleasant. You were threatening.”
