by Keith Hunt

A man splashed petrol over his mother and set fire to her home after making threats to kill her.

Mum-of-three Brenda Lismore told how she was too shocked to move and her partner Paul Wilson had to rescue her from the burning flat in Gillingham.

Now her son Sean Lismore, 23, is facing a jail sentence after admitting arson with intent to endanger life.

His brother James, 19, denied the charge and an alternative of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and was cleared by a jury.

Maidstone Crown Court heard there was friction in the family after Mrs Lismore started a relationship with Mr Wilson last year.

Abigail White, prosecuting, said Mrs Lismore’s daughter Debbie Ling was at the flat in Victoria Street on July 5 last year and her sons arrived later.

Miss White said the brothers started making accusations about Mr Wilson and Mrs Lismore defended him.

“The boys began shouting at their mother,” she said. “Threats were made to burn and kill her. Sean was doing most of the shouting.

“As they left, Sean said to his mother he would be back to kill her. Paul Wilson followed them down the street to try to reason with them.

“Both boys ran off. But a little while later they returned. James was shouting: 'Get the kids out.'

“Sean was at the threshold of the door with a petrol can. He poured petrol over the front door.

"He poured it over Brenda and Paul Wilson shouting: 'I am going to kill you.’

“The door went up in flames, as did the surrounding area. At that point, Sean and James ran off.

"Paul Wilson tried to put out the flames until the police and firemen arrived.”

Miss White said neighbour Samantha Hayward had seen Sean Lismore splashing petrol.

She claimed she saw James Lismore, known as Jimmy, flip a lighter and ignite the petrol.