A DEBT collector who made fire and acid attack threats to a couple has been jailed.

Liam Hargreaves, 26, called at the house in Workington and demanded £100 which he said was owed by the occupants’ son.

Hargreaves told them that if the money was not paid people would come to the property that night and either start a fire or throw acid in the couple’s faces.

Carlisle Crown Court heard the money was later handed over and that no violence was used or damage caused.

Hargreaves, of Razia Court, Workington, admitted a charge of affray, committed on September 30. He was said to have little or no recollection of the incident due to his intoxicated state.

Judge Barbara Forrester jailed him for 10 months.

Hargreaves was given an extra seven days in custody for breaching a previous court order.

Martine Snowden, prosecuting, said he was initially seen pacing up and down, topless, outside the couple’s home.

At about 2pm he knocked on the door and began asking questions about their son, who he claimed owed him money. He made the threat as he left.

“He said if he didn’t get the money people would be back that night to smash windows, to set fire through the letterbox and they were capable of throwing acid in their faces,” said Miss Snowden.

After the money was handed over, the couple reported the incident to police and identified Hargreaves from a photograph they were shown.

He was arrested the following month but denied either making threats or taking money.

The court heard that Hargreaves had 20 convictions for 41 offences. He was said to have breached a night time curfew given last year on three different dates – leaving his home to buy heroin on each occasion.

Alison Whalley, mitigating, said of the affray: “He was heavily under the influence of drugs and has limited if no recollection of events.

“He expresses genuine remorse for his offending. That, along with his guilty plea, is the best thing that can be said about his behaviour.”