A MAN rejected by his estranged wife set fire to the bedroom of the former marital home in a suicide attempt, a court heard.

Stephen Bigland, aged 40, of Longdale Road, Liscard, pleaded guilty to arson reckless whether life was endangered and was jailed for 21 months.

Before sentence he apologised from the dock at Liverpool Crown Court, saying: "I'd just like to thank the people who saved my life and I'd like to say I'm very, very sorry for what happened on the night."

The court heard that three police officers, John Mitchell, Eric O'Callaghan and Iain McEwan, whom Bigland had threatened when they tried to talk him out of the barricaded bedroom, were treated for smoke inhalation.

Judge Richard Pickering said he accepted that Bigland had had a "desperately traumatic year" in which he had been made redundant and his 21-year marriage had broken down.

"I have no doubt there was anxiety, anger, despair and depression which moved you to make that demonstration of potential suicide from which your wife escaped and got help."

But when help came, Bigland threatened the police officers and told them he did not care about his wife and daughter, he said.

"I have a duty to the public as a whole and it cannot be for one instant thought that men who get into trouble with their wives and are unhappy can set fire where people are, reckless to the outcome, and walk away with their liberty."

Mr Keith Sutton, prosecuting, said that Bigland left his wife in February, having admitted a relationship with someone else. In May he wanted to get back with her, but his estranged wife indicated she did not want that.

At midnight on May 20 his wife returned to her home in Rake Lane, Wallasey, in someone else's car and Bigland was waiting outside the house.

There was an argument in the house and she said she did not want him back. Bigland started drinking lager and taking tablets and threatened to kill himself. He sat against the door to stop her leaving, and had pulled the telephone wires out, but she escaped and flagged down a passing police car.

The officers found that Bigland had barricaded himself into a bedroom with furniture. He threatened to torch the place if they forced the door or called an ambulance, said Mr Sutton. They managed to open the door about a foot and realised there was considerable heat and black smoke coming from the room.

Bigland threatened to 'cave in' the head of the first officer to come in. The officers used a fire extinguisher as a battering ram, partially opening the door, and could see the wardrobe was ablaze. Neighbours were evacuated and fire officers using breathing apparatus went into the room and found Bigland unconscious on the floor.

Andrew Downie, defending, said the breakdown of his marriage was a harsh blow for him, and he had been under the impression things were on the mend and there was the possibility of a reconciliation.

His rejection put him in a desperate situation. A medical report showed him to be suffering from severe acute stress reaction, which led to utter despair, anger and an impulsive suicide attempt, he said.

Bigland, a man of previous good character, was ashamed of his behaviour and was now in a relationship which is offering stability, he added.

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