A THIEF who stole alcohol from a garage before climbing on its roof and sparking a major emergency service response has been jailed for over two years.

Lawry Alison, 24, from Polstain Road in Threemilestone, also yelled racist abuse and threatened to blow up the garage if approached.

Alison appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday, October 24 having pleaded guilty to intentionally/recklessly causing public nuisance, criminal damage, assault, theft from a shop, threat to damage by fire and a racially aggravated public order offence.

The court heard how on September 6 this year, Alison shouted abuse at a man before striking the victim twice in the face, causing facial injuries.

Then, on September 15, Alison attended Biscovey garage near St Austell and became angry and violent, barging his way out of the store with a bottle of wine.

Alison returned to the business a short time later and tried to force his way inside by kicking and pulling at the door. When unsuccessful in trying to gain entry, Alison made his way to the fuel pumps and gestured he had a lighter and was going to start a fire.

Staff disabled the fuel pumps and Alison then climbed onto the garage, resulting in a three-hour road closure and large emergency service response.

While on the roof, Alison damaged cabling and antennas and made vile racial comments to members of staff nearby. He further threatened to blow up police officers and the garage if approached.

Alison was eventually arrested, and was jailed for 27 months.

Officer in the case PC Zachary Pomeroy welcomed the sentence given by the court. “This was a prolonged incident which resulted in significant loss to the business and disruption to people in the area,” he said. “But most importantly, Alison’s actions were no doubt absolutely terrifying for garage staff and those present at the time.”