Man jailed for arson with intent to endanger life

A man who attempted to set fire to a nightclub in Runcorn after he was refused entry has been jailed.

John Kirk appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 30 May where he was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison.

The 34-year-old of the Hove, Runcorn, had earlier pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.

At around 12.50am on Sunday 5 March, Kirk attempted to enter Bank Chambers, High Street, but was refused due to his behaviour at another club earlier in the night. 

Following a verbal disagreement with security staff, he was escorted away from the club, at which point he threatened them, shouting that he would ‘get his boys down to sort them out’.

Kirk then visited a nearby petrol station where he asked staff if he could fill up a bottle with petrol – which was refused. Despite the refusal, he then walked around the forecourt and emptied what was left in the petrol nozzles into his bottle. 

He then returned to the club and set fire to and throwing it towards the door. Thankfully the object exploded before it reached the club and landed on the road. 

Kirk initially ran aware from the scene, but he was arrested a short time later and charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Whitfield, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “The repercussions of what may have happened in this case are quite simply unthinkable.

"On the night, the club had been packed with visitors who were enjoying a night out but their lives could have been put at risk all because Kirk was unhappy about not being allowed entry to the club.

“Thankfully, on this occasion he was unsuccessful in his attempts to set fire to the building and no-one sustained any injuries.

"I would like to thank the courts for putting Kirk behind bars, facing the consequences of his actions."
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