Woman 'threw Molotov cocktail at ex'

A SUFFOLK woman who was upset at abusive and offensive entries about her on her ex-boyfriend's Facebook page threw a “Molotov cocktail” at him while he was talking to friends in a car park, a court has heard.

Rob Gillett heard the sound of laughing outside the Rookery car park in Newmarket shortly before the petrol bomb was thrown through a gap in a fence, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When it came into contact with the car park floor the device burst into a ball of flames and rolled under a parked Ford Escort before setting light to the trousers of one of Mr Gillett's friends, said Kate Stephenson, prosecuting.

Sentencing Mr Gillett's ex-girlfriend Abigail Munks to two years detention, Judge John Holt said it was fortunate that the “Molotov cocktail” had rolled out from under the car and hadn't caused a major explosion or injury.

Munks, 20, of Laceys Lane, Exning, admitted affray and being in breach of a 52 week jail sentence suspended for two years which was imposed in October last year after she glassed someone in the face in a nightclub.

Miss Stephenson told the court that Munks had been in a month long relationship with Mr Gillett which had ended acrimoniously some weeks earlier.

She said that during their relationship Mr Gillett and Munks had spent time in the Rookery car park socialising with friends and driving cars around it

On April 28 Mr Gillett had been at the car park and had seen Munks set light to a jacket belonging to him.

An hour or so later he was standing next to a friend's car chatting when he heard laughter outside the car park followed by the petrol bomb being thrown in his direction.

“Thankfully only minor damage was caused,” said Miss Stephenson.

After her arrest Munks told police she was angry at entries on Mr Gillett's Facebook page since they split-up.

However, Miss Stephenson told the court that although Mr Gillett accepted entries had been made in his name he denied being responsible for them.

Juliet Donovan for Munks said she was remorseful and immediately after the incident had gone over to see if everyone was alright.

She said she had been upset at entries on Mr Gillett's Facebook page which told her to get out of Newmarket and referred to her in an offensive way.

Miss Donovan said Munks was now in a new relationship and was trying to get her life sorted out.