Man 'poured petrol over his ex after being rejected' in Denmead pub car park, court told

A MAN trapped his former partner in his car to burn her to death as ‘punishment’ for her refusing to take him back, a court heard.
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Gary Travers, 43, claims he only intended to kill himself - not Waterlooville psychologist Dr Georgina Ingall after she ended the relationship.

Travers arranged to meet Dr Ingall at White Hart pub car park on Hambledon Road, Denmead, on Christmas Eve last year to exchange Christmas gifts - with the defendant hoping he could rekindle the relationship.

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But when his efforts were thwarted, he lashed out at the victim by pouring petrol over her, prosecutor Martyn Booth said during cross examination of Travers at Portsmouth Crown Court.

A file photo of Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: César Moreno HuertaA file photo of Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: César Moreno Huerta
A file photo of Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: César Moreno Huerta
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‘You were trying to frighten her into getting back with you,’ Mr Booth said.

But Travers denied the claim: ‘I wouldn’t frighten anyone, I’m not that sort of person.’

Mr Booth added: ‘It was about punishment. She was the one person who could make things better but refused.’

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The prosecutor said Travers had hatched the ‘sinister’ plan despite Dr Ingall having done nothing to deserve revenge.

Mr Booth said: ‘Did you want her to see you burn to death? You accept that’s a horrific thing for someone to see?’

Travers said: ‘I planned to talk to her and for her to see how I was breaking down.

‘I thought she would help me and calm me down, even if it was just as a person who cares and not in a relationship.’

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Travers’ version of events was criticised by Mr Booth after the defendant agreed with an eyewitness account but for his testimony that Travers had told him he planned to kill both himself and Dr Ingall.

‘He was very clear about you saying you planned on killing the two of you,’ Mr Booth said.

But Travers rejected the claim before saying he was ‘in pieces’.

Mr Booth went on to say it was ‘no coincidence the door handle of the passenger door was not working’ when Dr Ingall was in the car - with it part of the plan to ‘keep her in the car’.

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But Travers hit back: ‘Why would I be trying to open the window.’

Shirley Travers, the defendant’s mum, received a call from her son just after the incident.

Giving evidence, she said: ‘I got a call from Gary saying “mum I’ve done a stupid thing”.

‘He said he had poured petrol on himself.’

Asked whether he said he had poured it on Dr Ingall too, Ms Travers said: ‘He just said he poured it on himself.’

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Travers, of no fixed address, denies attempted murder, making threats to kill and false imprisonment.

(Proceeding)

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