January 27, 2017 4.30 pm
This story is over 63 months old
Drunk told wife ‘you’re going to die’ before setting fire to home near Lincoln
A drunk carried out an arson attack on his family home after threatening his wife telling her “you’re going to die”, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday, January 27. Alan Hutchinson, who was described as being “paralytic every day” had earlier argued with his wife Wendy over the television remote control. Phil Howes, prosecuting,…
A drunk carried out an arson attack on his family home after threatening his wife telling her “you’re going to die”, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday, January 27.
Alan Hutchinson, who was described as being “paralytic every day” had earlier argued with his wife Wendy over the television remote control.
Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Hutchinson fetched a pile of clothes from a wardrobe and put them on two cushions before pouring an accelerant on top.
Hutchinson then set fire to the clothes causing flames to shoot two feet into the air before his wife smothered the blaze using cushions.
He started a second fire in the kitchen when he set alight a plastic box containing paper.
Mr Howes said that Hutchinson and his wife separately rang the emergency services and police and fire fighters quickly arrived at the couple’s bungalow in Hollywell Road, Waddington.
By then the flames were out but the smouldering remains of the two fires were found.
Mr Howes said: “The defendant was arrested. He was in drink at the time. His only concern was for his rabbits.”
The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for three years but Hutchinson’s drinking had caused difficulties in the relationship.
He told the court: “His wife talks about how recently he had been paralytic every day.”
Hutchinson, 58, currently of no fixed address but formerly of Hollywell Road, Waddington, admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to life being endangered as a result of the incident on October 17 2016.
He was jailed for 21 months and given a restraining order banning him from contacting Wendy Hutchinson or from visiting the address in Hollywell Road for five years.
Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told him: “This case is so serious that the only sentence I can possibly pass is a custodial sentence and that must be immediate.”
Siward James-Moore, in mitigation, told the court: “This episode was an aberration. It is out of character for the defendant to behave in this way.
“Divorce was looming. There was a background of stress due to the defendant’s inability to hold down long-term work.
“Things all came to a head and it was exacerbated by alcohol. Alcohol has been an underlying theme for a long, long time.”
He said that since the arson incident Hutchinson has been held in custody and has detoxified.
“He accepts full responsibility and admits he has done wrong. His hope even now is of making a go of the marriage but it seems divorce is being pursued.”
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Have I Got News For You star Paul Merton will perform his show ‘Impro Chums’ on stage at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln later this month.
Merton, Richard Vranch, Suki Webster, Mike McShane, and accompanist Kirsty Newton are back on the road, with Lincoln among the stops on the tour for an evening of improvisation.
Tickets are on sale priced at £25 for the show at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 31 – buy your tickets here.
Merton is a writer, actor, comedian and radio and television present, who is known for his improvisation skill and deadpan humour. He is a founder member of The Comedy Store Players and still appears at the Comedy Store in London most Sundays.
The 64-year-old is also a resident guest on BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute and his travel series on Channel Five called Paul Merton’s Adventures covered India, China and Europe. Last summer he co-stared with Suki Website in Motorhoming with Paul Merton as part of a six-part travel documentary for Channel 5.
His autobiography ‘Only When I Laugh’ reached the Sunday Times bestseller Top 10.
A 22-year-old man who died in a motorbike crash in Lincoln will be given a final send off with a rip-roaring procession on the way to his funeral.
Connor Peters, 22, tragically died in a crash on the B1190 Lincoln Road on Monday, May 9, as his black Lexmoto motorcycle collided with a white Isuzu van.
He unfortunately died at the scene, and a fundraiser was set up for the “cheeky, loveable rogue” to have the send off “he deserves”. At the time of reporting there is a remarkable £5,000 on the GoFundMe page, which you can visit here.
Connor Peters, pictured here with his mum, tragically died in a crash on Monday, May 9. | Photo: GoFundMe
Now, plans have been made for a motorbike procession to join the hearse taking Connor to his funeral service. The event, titled Connor Peters’ Last Ride, has been organised by his brother Josh.
It will take place at 11.50am on Monday, June 13, starting from Larne Road in Lincoln.
Josh says on the event’s Facebook page: “As a family, we are wanting a full motorcycle procession behind the funeral car, we want as many bikes, trikes, mopeds anything. We want so much noise remove all baffles removed, pops and bangs enough so he can hear from up there.
“Connor was a 22 year old lad that was full of life and was loved by so many, he loved his little 125cc, he thought that he had finally hit the big time but due to a awful turn of events he lost his life doing something he loved.
“For many of us bikers we can understand the love and passion he had for that short period of time. A biker fallen hits us all but we all club together to make an effort to remember those we lost.”