A CONVICTED drink-driver set fire to a child’s petrol-powered quad bike and pushed it towards his ex-partner’s house, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Brett Duffy had been in a relationship with the woman for 13 years but by February 24, this year, it had become turbulent.

Prosecuting, Michael Goldwater said neighbour Robbie Stafford heard banging coming from the rear of the victim’s house.

The victim was heard telling Duffy to go away, before he used expletives towards her.

Mr Goldwater said that a short time later the victim ran out of her property in endangered Belgrave Road, Colne, shouting: “My garden’s on fire.”

Mr Goldwater said: “Smoke was billowing away and it was well alight. The defendant was seen to return to the scene of the fire, pick up a garden lounger and put it on top of the burning quad bike. He tried to push the fire towards the rear door of the property. The chair started to melt.”

The prosecutor said Mr Stafford started to try to extinguish the fire with a hosepipe, before emergency services arrived.

Mr Goldwater said 39-year-old Duffy was arrested the same day at his brother’s house and when interviewed by police claimed the fire had started accidentally. He said a lit cigarette had come into contact with petrol he had spilled while filling the quad bike up.

However, Mr Goldwater said a fire expert ruled the defendant’s explanation was implausible.

Duffy, of Slater Avenue, Colne, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether the life of another would be endangered.

The court heard Duffy has nine previous convictions, including two drink-driving matters in 2015 – one where a child was present in the car at the time.

In her impact statement, the victim said: “After the incident I was anxious and worried as I felt my safety was put in danger as well as my son’s. I suffered sleepless nights after the incident and my son was visibly shaken.”

Defending, Mark Stuart said it was an offence which occurred when his client, an experienced block paver, had had too much to drink.

He said: “It was following a dispute between him and the complainant. It was a wholly inappropriate reaction. It was not committed by a man who has interest or otherwise in offences of arson. There are none on his record.

Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Duffy to a year in jail, suspended for two years, with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a six-month alcohol treatment programme and a two-month curfew.