Man threatened to blow up flat

A MAN downed half a litre of vodka in five minutes and threatened to blow up his girlfriend s flat. Alexander Prosser, 38, was so drunk his girlfriend Ann Thomas locked him into the flat in Norton Road, Baldock, Luton Crown Court heard on Friday. She call

A MAN downed half a litre of vodka in five minutes and threatened to blow up his girlfriend's flat.

Alexander Prosser, 38, was so drunk his girlfriend Ann Thomas locked him into the flat in Norton Road, Baldock, Luton Crown Court heard on Friday.

She called the police and when they arrived at 9pm Prosser put a chain across the door. He shouted at an officer: "I am going to blow up the flat," said prosecutor Sarah Porter.

Eventually he was persuaded to open the door and when police were inside there was a strong smell of gas.

Prosser was arrested and told officers that he could not remember what had happened since 5pm because he had drunk half a litre of vodka in five minutes.

The father of two from Juliagate, Stevenage, was appearing at court for sentence having pleaded guilty to threatening to damage or destroy property on February 3 last year at an earlier hearing.

Defence barrister Colin Allan said Prosser, who receives disability benefit, had now given up drink and had even been to his local off licence to tell them not to serve him alcohol.

Judge John Bevan QC placed him on a two-year community order in which he will be supervised by probation officers.

He must also attend a substance misuse programme and alcohol treatment programme. In addition Prosser was ordered to pay £250 costs.

The judge told him: "It is time you helped yourself."

Prosser replied: "I will try my hardest.