A spurned lover threatened to burn down his girlfriend’s flat if she had him arrested – then fled out of a window when officers arrived.
Lewis Arthurs issued the chilling warning after Louise Johnson phoned police on her way home from a holiday, fearing that he would not leave when she told him their “negative” relationship was over.
Lewis Arthurs, from Ashford, threatened to burn down his girlfriend’s flat
While she had been abroad, the 28-year-old had bombarded her with multiple messages and, in a bid to make her respond, told her he would damage her car.
Canterbury Crown Court heard it was once back at her property in Ashford on September 11 last year and having told Arthurs she would call police again that he made his menacing threat.
Arthurs fled the flat however when officers turned up and evaded capture for two hours before a police dog and handler tracked him down.
The floor screeder later pleaded guilty to two offences of threatening to destroy or damage property – namely Ms Johnson’s home and car – and one of criminal damage in respect of a smashed mirror.
He denied a charge of false imprisonment which was accepted by the prosecution and ordered to be left on the court file.
At his sentencing hearing on Thursday, Canterbury Crown Court heard that although he had previously “oscillated between insight, guilt and shame, and a sense of injustice”, he now accepted the seriousness of the offences and wanted to move on with his life.
His decision to remain single was also greeted as a “sensible” one by the judge.
Prosecutor Adam Smith said Arthurs, of Mill Court, Ashford, and Ms Johnson had been in a relationship for about six years but it was one she “categorised as negative”.
In August last year, Arthurs smashed a mirror following an argument and then sent her a picture of the damage, the court was told.
But it was during and after a holiday the following month that matters came to a head.
Lewis Arthurs, from Ashford, fled out of a window when police arrived
“On September 11, Ms Johnson returned home after a holiday abroad and intended to separate from the defendant,” explained Mr Smith.
“But fearing he would not leave when asked, she contacted police on her journey home.
“When she did arrive home, she spoke to Mr Arthurs and asked him to leave. He didn’t take it well and they proceeded to argue.
“They were in the bedroom. She threatened to call the police. He tried to persuade her not to do so, saying if he was arrested he would return to the flat and burn it down as soon as he was released.”
The court heard when Ms Johnson tried to leave the room, Arthurs locked the door. He then fled out of a window when officers arrived.
“He escaped and evaded police for some two hours before being caught by a dog unit,” the prosecutor added.
Referring to Arthurs’ earlier threat in respect of his partner’s vehicle, Mr Smith told the court: “While on holiday, he had sent Ms Johnson a large number of messages and when she did not respond, and seemingly in an effort to get her to reply, he threatened to damage her car.”
Arthurs, who has no previous convictions, spent several weeks in custody on remand and then on bail with a tagged curfew.
Having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing last year, sentencing had been adjourned for a probation report.
His lawyer George Jackson explained however that Arthurs’ attitude at the time it was written was very different to now.
Lewis Arthurs was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court
“It seems to me that the defendant oscillates (in the report) between insight, guilt and shame, and a sense of injustice at being arrested and remanded and (in his) negative views about the victim,” he told the court.
“In our conference prior to court, I saw a great deal of the former and a recognition from this defendant that the latter is not an appropriate view to take at this juncture.
“He places to one side his allegations made in the pre-sentence report and is principally concerned now with moving on with his life, focusing on his rehabilitation, and not seeking to dredge up matters from this relationship.”
The court heard Arthurs now lived with his supportive family and had been in stable employment in the construction industry for five years.
Mr Jackson added that a restraining order was not opposed.
“The relationship with Ms Johnson is over and he has come to terms with that reality. He has not entered into a new relationship and doesn’t intend to do so for some time,” he explained.
Although deciding that she could spare Arthurs immediate imprisonment, Judge Sarah Counsell described the offences as “quite nasty, serious attempts to potentially control” his then-girlfriend.
Furthermore, she said they had “an element of revenge”, and remarked that the ending of long-term relationships could be “particularly dangerous for young women” when emotions were not handled well.
But Judge Counsell told Arthurs that having taken account of his guilty pleas, time spent in custody and on a tagged curfew, his personal mitigation and the recommendation by probation that any risk posed could be “better managed and better reduced” with their support, she could suspend a six-month jail term for two years.
“You have come to terms finally that this is a relationship not good for you or Ms Johnson – it has come to an end, and it’s not to be continued,” she said.
You feel guilt and shame and at some point you will start to consider whether you should feel remorseful for your behaviour towards Ms Johnson…
“And you have taken the view – and it seems to be a sensible view – that you are not going to get involved in another relationship until you have dealt with the issues that caused the difficulties in the relationship.
“You are developing some insight. You feel guilt and shame and at some point you will start to consider whether you should feel remorseful for your behaviour towards Ms Johnson.
“You are still someone who is relatively young and have not done well in dealing with the end of a relationship. Perhaps you will learn to do better next time.”
Arthurs was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirements.
He was also given a five-year restraining order and told to pay £300 towards prosecution costs at £100 a month.