A drugged up thug who threatened to kill a woman and petrol bomb her house while he was ‘off his head’ on drink and drugs has walked free from court.

Gary Jenkinson hurled threatening abuse at his victim when he flew into an intoxicated rage just two days after police were called to deal with issues at a convenience store in Darlington involving some of his friends.

His behaviour at the shop resulted in the victim’s daughter phoning for help as she was concerned for her safety and her aunty turned up to support the young woman.

As they walked away from the shop, the 35-year-old shouted at the victim’s sister ‘I’m going to kill her. She has caused all of this trouble. She’s dead. Her house is going up – her house is getting petrol bombed’.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said the woman also heard him shouting ‘you’re getting murdered. You’re getting burned out’.

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She added: “She knows the defendant and his family, and she is aware the defendant knows her and her family – she has been very distressed as a result of this.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the incident had left her feeling anxious and upset.

She added: “When he attended my address and threatened to burn my house down, I felt extremely scared. I feared for my and my family’s lives. I was worried he could be capable of carrying out this attack.”

The court heard how the defendant appeared to be heavily under the influence of drink and drugs at the time of the offence.

Jenkinson, of Westminster Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to making threats to kill and threats to cause criminal damage on July 22 this year.

Mark Styles, in mitigation, said his client had managed to stay out trouble for a number of years and is capable of holding down employment.

He added: “He got himself into difficulties with both drink and drugs. He wishes to apologise for his behaviour.

“He has spent two months in custody on remand and it has been a time when he could reflect and is now drug free.”

Mark McKone KC sentenced the father-of two to 16 months in custody, suspended for two years.

He said: “One can only imagine how frightening this must have been for anyone but particularly for a woman whose home housed a number of children including a disabled child.

“It is no comfort to the victim that you were heavily intoxicated at the time, she describes you as being ‘off your head on drink and drugs’.”

The former roofer was also ordered to attend a Thinking Skills course and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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