Sheffield man who tried to blow up council house is evicted

A Sheffield council tenant has been evicted from his home for trying to blow up the building by sawing through a gas pipe.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2016, 16:27 BST
Flats on Wharncliffe Avenue, where Stephen Burkinshaw attempted to blow up the flats after becoming annoyed with his noisy neighbours. Picture: Andrew RoeFlats on Wharncliffe Avenue, where Stephen Burkinshaw attempted to blow up the flats after becoming annoyed with his noisy neighbours. Picture: Andrew Roe
Flats on Wharncliffe Avenue, where Stephen Burkinshaw attempted to blow up the flats after becoming annoyed with his noisy neighbours. Picture: Andrew Roe

Stephen Burkinshaw, aged 58, used a hacksaw to cut through a pipe in his maisonette flat in Wharncliffe Avenue, Wharncliffe Side, in June last year. He said he was annoyed at the noise his neighbours were making.

Gas leaked from the property for a day before Burkinshaw’s meter ran out, but no-one was harmed. In October, Burkinshaw admitted a charge of damaging property with an intent to endanger life Sheffield Crown Court and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

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Sheffield City Council has now evicted Burkinshaw, still serving time in prison, from the property, following a hearing at Sheffield County Court today (Friday, April 15). He was also ordered to pay £1,264.90 in court costs.

Director of housing and neighbourhoods service at Sheffield Council Janet Sharpe said: “Mr Burkinshaw’s acts were dangerous and life-threatening. We will not tolerate such acts and have taken steps to evict him.

“We had not been contacted by Mr Burkinshaw before this but wish he had come to us if he was experiencing problems.”

Related topics:SheffieldSheffield City CouncilSheffield Council