An architect has been jailed for two years after firebombing his client’s Range Rover.
Christopher Chapman pleaded guilty to charges of arson and intimidating a witness, and two counts of possessing cans of pepper spray.
Reading Crown Court was told that Chapman “lost the plot” after being informed that his long-term client and friend Robb Simms-Davies was starting civil proceedings against him in an attempt to not pay for work to his £3.5m home.
Judge Paul Dugdale expressed sympathy for the architect as his 26-month prison sentence began. “You undertook a lot of work on Mr Simms-Davies’s private home and, I dare say, because he was a friend, you were maybe not quite as careful with things contractually and it was left to a handshake. Sadly, things went wrong and a dispute arose.”
He added: “The time will pass quickly and this is not the end of the world. This time will pass, and your life will carry on.”
