A would-be thief tackled by a Co-op boss as he tried to steal alcohol later returned to the shop and set it on fire in a terrifying revenge attack.
Angry at being foiled in his violent bid to shoplift booze from the store in Cheriton High Street, Shaun Brocklehurst went home to collect a petrol can.
He then returned to the shop, poured accelerant over the entrance and set it alight while staff were inside and passers-by watched in horror.
The 43-year-old was told his actions could have had the “unthinkable consequences” of people becoming trapped and losing their lives.
Fortunately, and despite what was described as “a rush of flames”, the fire was quickly extinguished by the owner of a nearby takeaway and no one was injured.
But on sentencing Brocklehurst on Wednesday (February 28), a judge said the potential outcome of his decision to “teach a lesson” to the manager were “quite mind-boggling”.
Brocklehurst, who has 17 previous convictions for 46 offences, was spotted putting alcohol into a bag at the Co-op branch at about 6.40pm on Sunday, August 13 last year.
Prosecutor Amy Nicholson told the court that when challenged by manager Gordon Hebdon, a tussle over the bag ensued, resulting in Brocklehurst repeatedly lashing out with his fists and feet.
He then fled, leaving Mr Hebdon with injuries to his face and ear.
But, determined to “scare” the shop worker, Brocklehurst came back and set the frontage ablaze.
“He began pouring a flammable liquid from a jerry can along the front of the store and entrance and over a cashpoint machine and set it on fire, causing a rush of flames,” said Ms Nicholson.
“The fire was relatively small, and the flames were not particularly high, but it ran across the front of the shop.
“A member of staff from Clay Oven went outside with a fire extinguisher and put it out. There was smoke and a strong smell of petrol in the air.”
Mr Hebdon later told police he had heard a colleague shouting “in panic” over the headset that someone had set fire to the store.
In a victim impact statement made shortly after the incident, he described how he was left wary of customers and in fear of his workplace “burning down”.
“I don’t come to work to be physically assaulted, although shoplifting is something we have to deal with,” wrote Mr Hebdon.
“I am now more aware of my surroundings and of people who come to my store in fear of this happening again.
“I struggle to sleep with the fear of the shop burning down, which has caused extra stress.”
Brocklehurst, of Phillip Road, Folkestone, was arrested and admitted “unequivocally” what he had done, breaking down in tears and blaming his addiction to alcohol and poor mental health.
“He said he went to the Co-op and put items in his bag, intending to steal them because he had financial problems,” the prosecutor told the court.
“He said he couldn’t keep asking his wife for money and hadn’t been working since November because of his mental health issues.
“The defendant admitted punching the store manager and said he was sorry, but said ‘I wanted the alcohol. I didn’t want to leave without it’.
“He said he left the store ‘quite angry’, went home and collected the petrol can. He said he didn’t want to or intend to hurt anyone but just wanted to scare the manager.”
The court was told Brocklehurst realised the store was open but that if he had hurt anyone, he “would not have been able to live with himself”.
“He then returned home, put his clothes in the bin and the can in his shed,” continued Ms Nicholson.
“He broke down in tears in the (police) interview, saying he needed help and wanted to get himself sorted.”
The court heard no structural damage was caused to the shop building by the fire.
Brocklehurst, who suffers from ADHD and anxiety, later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Phil Rowley, defending, said that in the months leading up to the incident his client’s life had been in “utter chaos” due to a long-standing and “inappropriate relationship” with alcohol as well as daily use of cocaine.
But he told the court the now “remorseful, sober and drug-free” arsonist had accepted he had to “pay the price” for his actions.
On jailing Brocklehurst for three years, Judge Mark Weekes said the fire had “undoubtedly” been started in revenge for Mr Hebdon preventing his shoplifting attempt.
“For his pains he was subjected to a most unpleasant assault by you. You punched and kicked him a number of times, causing injury to his ear and face,” he told the crook.
“However, that was merely the foreshadowing of what was more serious, in terms of property, offending.
“You returned, and the inevitable inference is that in so doing, in your intoxicated state, you intended to teach him a lesson. It need hardly be said that the consequences of that are quite mind-boggling.
“If that fire had caught, people could have been trapped in the shop with the unthinkable consequences of losing their lives over what was an exceptionally stupid act on your part.”
Judge Weekes added that he was “impressed and heartened” by a letter Brocklehurst had written to the court, as well as his progress in prison, but warned him his alcoholism would need “lifelong” tackling.
He also ordered that the victim surcharge of £228 to be paid by Brocklehurst should be used “as a small token of the court’s concern” to compensate Mr Hebdon.
Detective Sergeant Joshua Wratten, of East Kent CID, said: “Brocklehurst’s actions were completely reckless – endangering public safety with no regard for the consequences, which could have been devastating.
“It is merciful that nobody was hurt as a result of his behaviour that day.
“I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been imposed, reflecting the gravity of the case and would hope it serves as a reminder that this kind of behaviour in our communities will not be tolerated.”
