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Poole explosion: Ex-husband jailed for blowing up house Poole explosion: Ex-husband jailed for blowing up house
(30 minutes later)
A man who blew up his marital home while his ex-wife was downstairs has been jailed for five years and four months.A man who blew up his marital home while his ex-wife was downstairs has been jailed for five years and four months.
Ian and Elaine Clowes converted their home in Poole, Dorset, into two separate flats following their divorce.Ian and Elaine Clowes converted their home in Poole, Dorset, into two separate flats following their divorce.
Clowes, 68, ignited a gas cylinder in October 2018 to stop her from owning the whole building, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.Clowes, 68, ignited a gas cylinder in October 2018 to stop her from owning the whole building, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.
He admitted arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.He admitted arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The explosion on Sterte Road on 22 October caused more than £600,000 worth of damage, the court was told.The explosion on Sterte Road on 22 October caused more than £600,000 worth of damage, the court was told.
Mr Clowes, who was upstairs when the butane canister ignited, suffered severe burns in the blast and spent weeks in an induced coma.Mr Clowes, who was upstairs when the butane canister ignited, suffered severe burns in the blast and spent weeks in an induced coma.
His wife was rescued uninjured from the rubble-filled downstairs bedroom by firefighters, the court was told.His wife was rescued uninjured from the rubble-filled downstairs bedroom by firefighters, the court was told.
Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said a neighbouring house which sustained "catastrophic" damage was uninsured.Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said a neighbouring house which sustained "catastrophic" damage was uninsured.
The court heard firefighters found two canisters in Clowes' flat, with one "still venting gas" after the valve had been opened.The court heard firefighters found two canisters in Clowes' flat, with one "still venting gas" after the valve had been opened.
Clowes was heard to say, "I don't want to be here anymore - I just wanted to die", as he was treated at the scene, Mr Ellacott said.Clowes was heard to say, "I don't want to be here anymore - I just wanted to die", as he was treated at the scene, Mr Ellacott said.
He said the defendant had originally owned the whole building, but a court ordered his wife could take possession of the house after paying him £65,000.He said the defendant had originally owned the whole building, but a court ordered his wife could take possession of the house after paying him £65,000.
The explosion happened on the day the property was due to be transferred.The explosion happened on the day the property was due to be transferred.
Rupert Grey, mitigating, said his client was remorseful and the act was "out of character". Robert Grey, mitigating, said his client was remorseful and the act was "out of character".
He said Clowes did not remember anything around the time of the explosion but accepted he must have released the valve.He said Clowes did not remember anything around the time of the explosion but accepted he must have released the valve.
Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said Clowes must have known his wife was in the flat downstairs when he detonated the gas canister.Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said Clowes must have known his wife was in the flat downstairs when he detonated the gas canister.
He added: "This case was motivated by a degree of malice - you did not want your wife to get the house."He added: "This case was motivated by a degree of malice - you did not want your wife to get the house."