A MAN who tried to turn his estranged wife into a human fireball has been jailed for ten years.

Mark Laverick, 41, doused his partner of 22 years in petrol and threw lit matches at her before striking a cigarette lighter close to her fuel-sodden clothing.

She escaped the ordeal after a woman intervened - but the experience left her extremely traumatised, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Jailing him for ten years with an extended licence period of five years Judge John Milford said: “Had the petrol ignited she would have become a human torch.

“She would have suffered injuries painful in the extreme and disfiguring, almost certainly, for the rest of her life.

“One can think of few crueller crimes, short of murder, other than setting someone alight.”

The court heard the couple's marriage broke down in February.

The incident happened on Reynolds Close, Stanley, County Durham, between 9am and 9.30am on Monday, June 30, after Laverick’s wife had taken one of their children to school.

Katherine Dunn, prosecuting, said: “She was absolutely terrified. She thought she was going to die.”

Two days earlier he sent a chilling message on Facebook to his ex-wife’s cousin that said: “It’s going to be hell or a cell for me. I really don’t care anymore.”

The court heard the incident had a profound effect on the victim who is receiving counselling.

In a statement she said: “I relive the incident regularly. There was no emotion, just total silence. I see the blankness in his eyes as he was trying to strike the matches.”

The court was told Laverick, who is of previous good character, was suffering from a depressive illness at the time and has a dependent personality disorder.

His marriage had broken down due to his violent, jealous and controlling behaviour.

Christopher Knox, mitigating, said: “He is regretful and apologetic. There is nothing to suggest that he poses any risk to the wide community at large.”

Laverick, who lived on the town's Chester Road estate, pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

No evidence was offered on an alternative charge of attempted murder and a ‘not guilty’ plea was accepted.

The judge, who imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect Laverick’s former wife and children, said: “I am satisfied that you are a dangerous offender.”