A WINSFORD man who admitted arson after burning his ex-girlfriend’s bank card in a quiet country hotel has been slapped with an alcohol monitoring tag.

Mark Preston, of Ford Court, was staying at the Badger Inn in Church Minshull with his then-partner when a fierce row broke out.

The 41-year-old took a cigarette lighter to her bank card and set it alight.

He then followed her to the bar, where their bickering was causing so much disturbance the manager had to step in. 

On asking Preston to calm down, he was told he’d have his head 'kicked in' if he kept on interfering. Preston did however leave the bar when asked. 

The day before the hotel altercation, Preston had threatened his sister and niece over Facebook and on the phone, who he also accused of interfering in his relationship.

He called his sister an ‘evil cow’ and told her he ‘hopes she gets raped’ and ‘hopes she dies’, adding: “You should be in a grave like mum and dad.”

Preston appeared before Warrington magistrates for sentencing on Tuesday, April 30, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of arson, and one of common assault against the hotel manager.

He also admitted sending a threatening message, and using a public network to convey an offensive message, in relation to his sister and niece. 

Prosecuting, James Gore told the court Preston has six convictions for 13 offences, including drink-driving, criminal damage, assaulting an emergency worker, battery, and public order offences.

Defending, Gary Schooler said Preston’s relationship with his ex was ‘turbulent’, and he drank much more heavily when he was with her, which had led to the breakdown of his relationship with his sister.

Mr Schooler added Preston was remanded in custody for more than three weeks when first arrested, which is the equivalent of a six-week prison sentence already served.

Preston has ‘significantly reduced his consumption of alcohol’ since his relationship with his ex ended, he added, and is now looking for work.

Chair of magistrates, Margaret Radcliffe, sentenced Preston to a two-year community order, including 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and 120 days with an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag.

He must also complete the building better relationships programme, pay £100 compensation to his ex, sister, and niece, as well as £50 to the hotel manager, plus £199 in court costs and a victim surcharge. 

Magistrates also made a restraining order, meaning he can’t contact his sister or niece by any means for 12 months.