Former soldier jailed for four years over attempted motorbike arson

Former soldier Gary Bohanna has been jailed for four years after trying to set fire to his neighbour’s motorbike beneath the neighbour’s bedroom window. The attack followed a series of disputes and could have put the 70-year-old homeowner at serious risk if the fire had spread.

Bohanna, 55, poured petrol over the bike and tried to ignite it with a cigarette lighter and blowtorch while Gerard Bennett was at home. Bennett smelled petrol and went outside, finding Bohanna by the garden fence. Bohanna pleaded guilty to attempted arson, having previously threatened to burn down Bennett’s home if convicted. The court heard that his PTSD and history of violence and alcohol abuse contributed to the offence; a report assessed him as posing a very high risk of serious harm.