A DRUNKEN young man threatened to cause a gas explosion after rowing with his partner when he returned home “worse for wear”, a court heard.

Mark Stephenson cut a gas pipe and left a fire switched on, following the heated dispute, after his partner relented and let him into the house, in the early hours of May 31 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard that apart from his long-term partner, his two young children were put at risk, as they were asleep upstairs at the time.

Stephenson, who was said to have little recollection of events, having drunk 12 cans of lager, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The court heard the 24-year-old was only weeks into a suspended sentence order imposed for a dangerous drink driving escapade at the time.

Kate Dodds, prosecuting, said he drank eight cans of lager at home and went out, late on May 30, to get more drink.

On his return, his partner would not initially allow him into the house, in Calvert Terrace, Murton, due to his drunken state.

But he made a commotion and damaged the door, so she relented and reluctantly allowed him in, but it only led to a further argument.

Miss Dodds said he barged past her and made threats to harm her and blow up the house.

When she went upstairs to tend to the children she could hear Stephenson “fiddling round” with tools in the kitchen.

She contacted police, and Stephenson came upstairs to apologise to her.

His partner then went downstairs and saw the gas fire switched on, while she could smell gas emitting from pipe fittings in the kitchen.

On arrival of emergency services it emerged pipes were cut, apparently shortly beforehand.

Stephenson, whose address was given as Crimdon Dene Caravan Park, admitted causing criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Jane Waugh, mitigating, said despite the obvious dangers, “it clearly could have ended a lot worse than it turned out to”.

But she added that Stephenson, who has had “difficulties” in his life, has been remorseful and taken courses while in custody awaiting sentence.

Jailing him, Judge Robert Adams said, given his “clearly drunken condition”, Stephenson could have caused an explosion, threatening himself, his partner and the children.

He imposed an unlimited restraining order, preventing Stephenson from trying to approach or contact his now ex-partner, or the children.