Drunk thug downed 12 lagers, an entire bottle of rum, then doused girlfriend in petrol... after accusing her of drinking his beer

A man doused his girlfriend in petrol in an alcohol-fuelled argument where he accused her of drinking his beer.

Thomas Hoyle, 37, had drunk a dozen lagers and an entire bottle of rum to himself when he began arguing with his partner.

When she went to bed he followed her and continued being aggressive, but she told him to leave as she was trying to sleep, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

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However, he later returned with a petrol can and went to throw it at her, but instead covered her and the bed in petrol.

He was later spotted setting fire to her lawn and a neighbour heard him threaten to ‘slit’ the woman’s throat.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to making threats to kill, arson and common assault, and was jailed for two years and 10 months.

The victim, who had been in a relationship with Hoyle for four years, was said to be ‘extremely vulnerable’ and suffered with mental health issues and learning difficulties.

“The police became aware of her at 2.10am when they received a call from her friend, and found her in a distressed state in a country park in Bury, covered in petrol,” prosecutor David James said.

“She was hysterical and crying.

“The officers managed to calm her down. She said she had been drinking with the defendant.

“The defendant began to argue with her, suggesting she had taken his beer.

“She said he can be aggressive in drink and she was scared of him.”

The woman then went to bed, but when he came into the bedroom he came more aggressive and she told him to leave so she could go back to sleep.

He returned carrying a green petrol can, before pouring the contents over her whilst she was in bed, calling her a ‘s**t’ and a ‘witch’.

Hoyle