A MAN who left the gas turned on at his former partner’s home in what a judge called a ‘deliberate and wicked act’ has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Ian Whalley, 37, of Feniscliffe Drive, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, had earlier gone on the run and jumped off a cliff in Cornwall into the sea after being confronted by police.

Whalley had headed to the South West after failing to appear before Preston Crown Court in September to be senten-ced.

But yesterday justice caught up with Whalley.

The court heard that around two weeks after his relationship had broken up and he had been told to leave, Whalley returned to Deborah Swindlehurst’s home at Walton-le-Dale and switched on the gas on a hob.

Ms Swindlehurst was terrified when she returned home and realised what had happened.

Whalley had been convicted by a jury almost five months ago of attempting to destroy, or damage, property in October last year, being reckless whether life would be endangered.

The offence dated back to October 26 last year.

He admitted a bail offence relating to his failure to appear at court for sentencing. He was given an extra month’s prison for that offence.

The court was told that Ms Swindlehurst was not only terrified to learn what had taken place at her home, but was also terrified of the potential for injury to her and her young son. His barrister, Mr James Hawks, said although there was a potential for danger, no-one was actually hurt.

Whalley was a man of previous good character.

Judge Edward Slinger told Whalley in passing sentence: “This was a dreadful thing to do. It was a deliberate and wicked act on your part.

“You set about to do what you did quite deliberately and coldly. I’d be failing in my public duty if I didn’t impose a significant sentence.”

The judge added that Whalley knew what he was doing when he went away, causing considerable disruption to the courts and also to public services.

Whalley had to be pulled from the sea by a 10-strong lifeboat crew, assisted by the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter.

He was pulled to safety and was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Police said when he was rescued he was under the influence of alcohol and sleeping tablets.