MAN APPEARS IN COURT AFTER ORANGUTAN DESTROYS GIRLFRIEND’S HOUSE

Froghill Magistrate’s Court heard yesterday how a man’s jealousy led to his girlfriend’s house being blown up on July 31 last year.

During the second day of the trial, the court heard how Patrick Nomark, 38, mistakenly believed his girlfriend, Desiree Bullock, 35, to be having an affair with his best friend. It is alleged that Nomark, with malice aforethought and the instrumental use of a primate, intentionally set fire to, and destroyed, Ms Bullock's house.

Barrington Snuff QC, speaking for the prosecution, told the court how Mr Nomark, knowing Ms Bullock to be zoophobic, went to Polly’s Pets on the morning of July 31, 2005, and purchased an orangutan called Cedric. He then drove himself and the animal to Ms Bullock’s house in Two Bells Lane, Cheetingham. Letting himself in with his key, Mr Nomark deposited Cedric inside, after which he double locked the door before driving away.

Giving evidence to the court, forensics expert Malcolm Sniffer said: “Piecing together what we could from the wreckage of the house, it appears that after Mr Nomark’s departure, Cedric made his way into the kitchen. It is likely that he was drawn there by the appetising smell of a casserole which Ms Bullock had left to cook on a low heat while she was out at work.

“Opening the door to the oven, the animal became alarmed at the sight of flames and blew them out. He did not however turn off the gas.

“With escaping gas fumes filling the room, Cedric soon found himself overcome and passed out. It seems that he remained unconscious for several hours. Upon coming to, he rushed around the house confused and panic-stricken, desperately seeking a way out.

“Having found all the doors to be locked, the animal then picked up the large stone which Ms Bullock used as a door stop. This he aimed at the porch window, intending to break the glass and thereby make his escape.

"However, in his gas-weakened state, Cedric stumbled and fell backward, missing his aim. The stone glanced off the metal frame of the widow, generating a spark which ignited the gas.”

In their turn, Mr Nomark’s defence team is expected to argue that their client does not deny purchasing the orangutan with the intention of revenging himself upon Ms Bullock.

They will maintain hoewever that his purpose was only to “give her a bit of a fright, what with her being afraid of animals and everything” and that the subsequent explosion was neither intentional nor premeditated.

Mr Nomark is also expected to plead not guilty to the lesser charge of recklessly endangering a sentient mammal in a domestic setting.

The trial continues.