A “JEALOUS and bitter” man launched petrol bombs at a Southampton home as part of an ongoing stalking campaign, a court heard.
Ashley Pankewycz hurled three petrol bombs at a house in Millbrook Road East.
When one of them didn’t explode, he picked it up and threw it again at the property belonging to a friend of his ex-partner.
Judge Christopher Parker QC told in the Spring of last year the 30-year-old “began a comparatively short-lived relationship” with his victim.
He added: “That relationship broke down in mid-June, by then you were already displaying some signs of jealous and controlling behaviour.”
During a trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury previously heard how the former army officer who served in Afghanistan and later signed up with the RAF, at one point planned to follow the woman and her friend on holiday to Greece.
He even bought plane tickets and travelled to Heathrow airport, but later turned back to Southampton.
The court heard how Pankewycz, of Andersons Road, Southampton, was arrested multiple times but continued petering and harassing her” while on bail.
On one occasion he was able to hack into her wifi network and play songs through her sound system while she was at home.
Following the “firebomb attack” on September 11 last year, he was charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life - which he denied and was found not guilty of.
Instead, he pleaded guilty to arson - reckless as to whether life was endangered. He was also found guilty of stalking which caused serious alarm or distress.
Prosecution barrister, Rose Burns, read out the woman’s victim personal statement in which she said Pankewycz was a man devoid of feelings that are taken for granted such as compassion.
She added the damage he had caused on her would have a lasting effect and that she felt “totally hopeless”
Meanwhile, her friend described Pankewycz as “bitter, obsessive and jealous”.
He added: “He has not shown any remorse for what he has done.”
Defending, Charles Gabb said that his client deserved credit for his guilty plea. He added that he had been a man of good character and had also served his country.
During sentencing, Judge Christopher Parker QC said “I access that you are a danger to the public.”
He jailed Pankewycz for six years and nine months, with a further five years on licence.
He will spend at least four and a half years in custody.
Pankewycz was made the subject of a restraining order until further order
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