Drunk threatened to burn house down then set fire to jacket

Luke Geraghty was confronted over his offensive language in listening range of a child when he made the threat.

He then set fire to his own jacket and fell asleep, with a court hearing it was fortunate that no injury was caused to anyone.

The 26-year-old was charged with arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered, possession of cannabis and failing to surrender to bail, having been remanded in custody a month prior.

He appeared to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, November 22, where prosecutor Anna Price explained how the arson incident unfolded on June 12 this year.

The defendant was living in shared accommodation on Blackledge Close in Cinnamon Brow, when at around 4.45pm a neighbour heard Geraghty nearby saying the word ‘petrol’ a number of times.

By 6.15pm, the complainant was looking after a neighbour’s child when he heard the defendant using offensive language.

He went to the defendant’s room to tell him to calm down as a child was nearby, but Geraghty slammed the door shut and shouted that everyone was ‘ganging up’ on him.

He also threatened to burn the house down, leading to the complainant attempting to calm the defendant down through the door as he believed the threat.

It was at this point that he heard the clicking of a lighter behind the door. Geraghty then emerged holding a lighter and a jacket which had been set on fire, with flames visible.

The building was evacuated and emergency services were called, with the defendant found drunk and asleep in his room. The burnt jacket and lighter were on the floor.

On his arrest, he was found in possession of a quantity of cannabis.

Luke Geraghty was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

The court heard how Geraghty has a number of previous convictions for 17 offences, including for assault and criminal damage.

In defence of her client, Carmel Wilde said that he is engaging with support in custody for alcohol and drugs through group sessions to address his issues, which are ‘clearly the underlying factor in his offending behaviour’.

She spoke of how Geraghty admits he acted stupidly, knows what he did was reckless and is ‘very sorry and embarrassed’.

“He is fully intent on sorting his life out. It is time to end the chaos and settle down,” Ms Wilde said.

She added that he has had a month to dry out from the ‘demon drink’ in custody, which has proved fruitful, and said the qualified mechanic plans to return to work in the motor trade after his rehabilitation, for which he is a ‘realistic prospect’.

Before sentencing, judge Anil Murray said: “You are now 26 years of age and you are developing a bit of a record, with previous convictions for causing damage, assault, harassment and failing to comply with court orders.

“This incident could have been really serious. You said you intend to change, and I hope you do as if you do not, you will spend a lot of your life in prison.”

The judge said that while he was satisfied that he must impose a prison sentence, he was willing to suspend it.

Geraghty was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete a thinking skills requirement and alcohol treatment requirement for 12 months, as well as 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The court approved an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the lighter and the cannabis.