Man jailed following arson attack on ex-partner’s family

A man who threw a petrol bomb through a window of his ex-partner’s brother’s home has been jailed.

In the early hours of 16 June 2019, Robert O’Connor, 36, aimed two Molotov cocktail petrol bombs inside the home of his ex-partner's family through an open window.

The petrol bomb immediately set the house ablaze, leaving one victim of the attack with life-threatening burns.

On 15 June 2019, O’Connor had met with a member of the household to discuss ongoing relationship issues between himself and his ex-partner. He was then captured storming out of the Alma Pub in Islington before the attack in the early hours of the following morning.

O’Connor was first seen at the property around midnight where he attempted to break into the house. After his attempt was unsuccessful, he was captured on CCTV leaving the address in a Vauxhall Insignia which was then traced back to him. He later returned to the property to continue his attack.

While in prison for a separate offence, O’Connor secured a mobile phone to contact the victims and members of their family. He attempted to coerce them into dropping the accusations against him.

O’Connor attended Snaresbrook Crown Court today [19/10/2023] after being convicted by unanimous verdicts of attempted burglary and arson with intent to endanger life. He received a sentence of 18 years' imprisonment.

Loheswaran Amirthananthar, from the CPS said: “Robert O’Connor visited the property at a time where he knew his ex-partner’s family and their children would be at home, sleeping and defenceless. His callous actions have caused horrendous physical injuries to one victim who has received intense hospital treatment, including multiple skin grafts.

“The prosecution team worked closely with the police to build up powerful circumstantial evidence in this case to bring justice for the victims. This included tracing a partial number plate of the Vauxhall Insignia that O’Connor first attended the property in, using his attempts to cover up his mobile phone usage during the attack, and CCTV evidence."