Man Threatened To Set Fire To A Nightclub Because They Didn't Sell Red Bull

A man threatened to set fire to a packed nightclub using petrol because it didn't sell Red Bull, a court heard.

Michael Day threw a petrol canister at a nightclub full of people before flicking a lighter and screaming 'I'm going to burn every last one of you'.

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He descended into an explosive rage when staff at Shush nightclub, in Wantage, Oxfordshire, told him they didn't sell Red Bull.

The 38-year-old also from Wantage was set to stand trial for the incident but later admitted attempted arson and two counts of making threats to kill.

During a sentencing hearing, Oxford Crown Court heard how Day turned up at the nightclub on 28 April, despite being banned. A row was sparked when Day asked to buy a can of Red Bull, but was given an alternative drink instead.

Staff then explained the club didn't sell the brand and Day became aggressive, before being thrown out. But seeing red, he then marched home to plot his revenge.

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CCTV footage played to the court showed Day carrying a large 20-litre white plastic container, partly filled with petrol. As he got close to the club's entrance he was seen throwing it towards the door.

Day then launched himself towards the doorway of the club and into the path of door staff. Petrol was spilt on to the ground and also over the clothing of some of the staff.

The court heard that it was at this point Day was seen to flick a lighter and heard to scream death threats. Among these he shouted racist abuse towards one member of staff and threatened he would burn the club down with everyone inside.

Day, who also had a cigarette in his mouth, shouted: "I am going to burn every last one of you," and he said he would 'burn them all'.

There were 177 revellers inside the club that night, and as the smell of fumes wafted inside they had to be evacuated. Day was arrested and he told officers he had drank up to seven bottles of Corona and had never intended to start a fire but wanted to 'scare people'.

In mitigation, his defence barrister claimed that Day couldn't remember the incident and Judge Maria Lamb called the episode 'terrifying' as she jailed him for five years and two months.

Topics: UK News, News, crime, UK

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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