A mother-of-eight who covered her ex-lover’s brother in petrol before setting his new van on fire has been hit with a 10-year restraining order but spared jail.
Gemma Peregreen, 37, splashed the jerry can of fuel over Tyronne Webb and his van after he had gone to her flat to collect items belonging to his brother.
Newport Crown Court heard Mr Webb’s brother had been in a relationship with Peregreen and there was a ‘bad feeling’ after it ended.
Footage of the shocking incident was played to the court after it was filmed by stunned onlookers on February 26.
Judge Williams told Peregreen that he believed there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and handed her a two year suspended sentence.
She was also handed a 10-year restraining order to not contact Mr Webb.
Gemma Peregreen, 37, (pictured) splashed the jerry can of fuel over Tyronne Webb and his van after he had gone to her flat to collect items belonging to his brother
Footage of the shocking incident was played to the court after it was filmed by stunned onlookers on February 26
Judge Daniel Williams told Peregreen: ‘Because of that history, the two of you exchanged unpleasant words.
‘You appeared to him to be under the influence of alcohol.
‘You went to throw petrol over him and he managed to parry away from you after you lunged at him. You then poured petrol on his van and set fire to it.
‘You were reckless as to whether the lives of other people were in danger.
‘There was the use of an accelerant and multiple people may have been in danger.’
In a victim impact statement, Mr Webb feared he would have been badly burned if the fire had reached him and the damage to his new van would cost more than £2,000 to repair.
Mr Webb said: ‘I never want to see her again.’
Peregreen, of St Briavels in the Forest of Dean, pleaded guilty to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Ross McQuillan-Johnson, defending, said Peregreen was ‘disgusted’ by her behaviour and had been assessed as a low risk of reoffending.
As she left court, Judge Williams told her: ‘You are free to go – don’t mess up.’
