South Shields son launched arson attack on his widowed mum’s car after she reported him for drink driving
A widow's car was targeted in a revenge arson attack by her own son after she reported him to the police for suspected drink driving.
A widow's car was targeted in a revenge arson attack by her own son after she reported him to the police for suspected drink driving.
Christopher Ions put an item on the bonnet of his mum's MG motor and used an accelerant to set it alight after her report led to him being arrested.
A judge has said the victim should be commended for making the call, when she believed the public were being put at serious risk by a drink-driver.
Newcastle Crown Court heard just days later the terrified victim, who is a 71-year-old grandmother, had been alerted by a noise in the early hours, saw the fire on her car and went outside with water to extinguish the flames.
In a heart-breaking impact statement, which she bravely read in court herself via videolink, the victim said: "I was so frightened as I had just filled the car with petrol earlier that day and I didn't know if the tank would explode if the fire managed to get to it.
"I was alone and I tried to ring my neighbours' houses but because it was 1.45am no-one answered, leaving me by myself to deal with the fire until the police and fire service arrived.
"I remember the shock kicking in and I couldn't stop shaking.
"I have struggled to come to terms with the fact Christopher has done this to me.
“I lost my confidence”
"I have been left with an extremely nervous demeanour, I'm jittery all the time and I lost my confidence I once had.
"My drive and get-up-and-go for life has completely gone because of what I have been put through."
The widow, who had recently lost her husband, said the damaged car is still on her drive and she now relies on taxis.
She added: "I want to be able to go to the crematorium with some beautiful flowers for my husband.
"I miss him so much but I'm glad he didn't have to experience this awful incident and what I have been going through in the aftermath."
The court heard it was on May 24 when Ion's mum contacted the police to report him for drink driving.
Ions was then arrested and convicted of failure to provide a specimen.
The 39-year-old, of Mitre Place, South Shields, admitted arson in relation to his mum's car, in the early hours of May 28.
Recorder Nick Tucker said: "Your mother contacted the police and let them know you were drink-driving.
"I have no doubt she did so because she recognised, as you plainly didn't, that you were putting other members of the public at serious risk.
"Her decision to make that call, which couldn't have been easy, was commendable and as a result you were arrested and when asked to provide a specimen you refused and resulted in a conviction."
"childish and dangerous act of revenge"
The recorder said the car arson attack was a "childish and dangerous act of revenge".
Ions, who has been in custody on remand, was sentenced to 21 months, suspended for two years, with alcohol treatment and probation requirements plus 100 hours unpaid work and a five-year restraining order.
The court heard Ions had been drinking eight cans per night and having cannabis daily and the recorder told him: "Something has to change."
Kate Spence, defending, said Ions has been working with drug and alcohol teams in custody and earned certificates.
Miss Spence said Ions was also dealing with the death of his father and added: "He's disgusted in the way he has behaved.
"Through me, he very much expresses the most remorse he possibly can."