Dennis Coles sought a peaceful end to his day, sinking into the warm water of his hot tub. The tranquility shattered in an instant as a fiery object arced over the fence, landing on his gazebo and igniting it in flames.
The attack unfolded with terrifying speed. Coles, a veteran who had faced danger before, found himself staring in disbelief as the roof of his gazebo became engulfed. He was momentarily paralyzed with fear, realizing the potential for the fire to spread to a nearby shed – and to him.
The culprit was his neighbor, Wayne Loughman, who later admitted to arson. He claimed disturbance from the hot tub prompted his reckless act, but Coles vehemently denied the accusation, stating he was enjoying a quiet evening alone.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Coles and his wife, Susan Hilson-Greener, revealed a history of harassment from Loughman, including disturbing acts like excrement smeared on their car and food thrown into their garden. Years of simmering tension had exploded into a dangerous confrontation.
Susan attempted to confront Loughman after reviewing security footage of the blaze, but he dismissed her concerns with a curt, “Shhh, my missis is in bed.” The dismissive response underscored a pattern of disregard and hostility.
In court, Loughman pleaded guilty. The judge, while acknowledging the seriousness of the offense, handed down a two-year suspended sentence, coupled with 200 hours of unpaid work and a £500 fine. A five-year restraining order was also issued.
Despite the legal outcome, Coles felt the sentence was too lenient. He believed Loughman deserved a far more substantial punishment, arguing that the court hadn’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation and the deliberate nature of the arson.
Coles expressed his relief at the restraining order, but remained frustrated by Loughman’s dishonesty in court. He maintained that they were not causing any disturbance, and that the attack stemmed from something far more insidious than a noise complaint.
The incident left a lasting mark, transforming a relaxing evening into a terrifying ordeal and highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked neighborly disputes.
