A man from Bridgend who threatened to set fire to his father’s house unless he was brought alcohol has been sentenced to a year in prison, following a dramatic sequence of events which culminated in arson and criminal damage.
Thomas Bletchley, 36, targeted his father’s property in Bryntirion Close while his father, Lawrence Bletchley, was at work. Reports presented to Cardiff Crown Court detailed how, on 18 March, Bletchley called his father and threatened to commit arson if alcohol was not delivered to the address. Some hours after the initial threat, Bletchley made two further calls, which increased concerns for the safety of the property and prompted Mr Bletchley to involve the police.
According to prosecutor Emily Jermin, when officers arrived at the scene, they immediately discovered a blaze in the front garden. The defendant, upon spotting the police presence, attempted to flee by escaping into the rear garden. In a further act of desperation, he picked up an object and used it to smash a glass door, before re-entering the property.
Events escalated as Bletchley began throwing objects at the attending officers, adding an element of danger to an already hazardous situation. He soon found his way into a bedroom, where he was seen hanging out of a window and speaking about his struggles with mental health. Moments later, officers noticed a second fire had been set in the rear bedroom. Fortunately, this fire was swiftly extinguished, mitigating the potential for further damage or harm.
As the police intervened, Bletchley resisted arrest. When searched, he was found to have a cigarette lighter in his possession, further substantiating the arson charge. Bletchley subsequently pleaded guilty to arson and to causing criminal damage. The court heard that Bletchley had a history of offending, with 14 previous convictions on his record.
Kevin Seal, representing Bletchley, spoke in mitigation, highlighting the defendant’s long-standing difficulties with his mental health. Mr. Seal explained that Bletchley had been diagnosed with ADHD, depression, and alcohol dependency. The barrister told the court that his client began consuming alcohol at just 12 years of age and had suffered several bereavements which compounded his struggles.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins, in passing the custodial sentence, recognised that Bletchley had been taken in by his parents after a period of homelessness. The judge remarked, “You were homeless and your parents took you in on trust,” underlining the gravity of breaking such trust with dangerous conduct that could have led to serious harm.
Cases such as this one continue to emphasise the intersection between mental health, addiction, and criminal behaviour. The outcome of the hearing raises important conversations around the support available to vulnerable individuals and the challenge for families trying to offer help while safeguarding themselves and their property.
While Thomas Bletchley has now been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, the court’s decision highlights both the seriousness with which arson is treated and the ongoing need for interventions that address addiction and mental health to prevent recurrence of such incidents.