A young man distraught after a row with his girlfriend left a home-made bomb in a gas-filled house which led to nearby residents being evacuated, a court has heard.

Iain Nunn then rang his partner threatening to kill himself and after she rushed to the scene with her mother they were horrified to see him douse himself with petrol and brandish a lighter.

20-year-old Nunn, who also took tablets, held back from igniting the lighter and as a neighbour had called the police, officers arrived at the scene in Holmlands Drive, Prenton, and promptly arrested him.

He had told his girlfriend not to go to her home in Park Road, Prenton, that afternoon and when police went round they smelled gas.

On the cooker in the kitchen was a home-made bomb consisting of a bottle containing some petrol with a rag in the top and other bottles were strapped to it containing peroxide, said Simon Duncan, prosecuting.

A specialist team was summoned to make it safe and meanwhile the street was cordoned off and houses evacuated.

Liverpool Crown Court heard gas was escaping in the house because after the argument Nunn had run amok on a rampage of destruction in the premises during which the meter cupboard was dislodged.

At the time of the incident, April 11 this year, Nunn was subjected to a four-month suspended prison sentence imposed six months earlier for a road rage offence.

Nunn, of Birkett Road, Rock Ferry, pleaded guilty to the unusual offence of public nuisance.

His barrister desribed his behaviour as "a cry for help" and the judge, Recorder Andrew Long, accepted that.

"It was attention seeking behaviour of the worst sort and the real mischief is the huge amount of time and waste of money as far as public services are concerned. Thousands of pounds were lost."

Imposing a 12-month sentence of detention suspended for two years, the judge said he was only doing so as he has served the equivalent of almost a 12-month sentence.

"I am prepared to give you a chance, not without some misgivings. This is an opportunity to get your life in order with the help of your family and loved ones," he said.

Recorder Long also placed him under supervision for two years with attendance on domestic violence and drug rehabilitation programmes.

He also wished him good luck but warned him if he breaches the court orders he would go to jail.

Trevor Parry-Jones, defending, said, "It is very sad that he at this tender age was prepared to pour petrol on himself."

He had not intended to cause so much trouble and had drew back from using the lighter as he appreciated possible consequences to others.