Guilty of attempted murder: Man who set fire to ex-partner’s house as she slept

A man who set fire to his ex-partner’s house as she slept has been convicted of attempted murder, following a prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Nicholas Martin, 63, was also convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

In the middle of the night, Martin poured petrol through the letterbox of his ex-partner’s house and set it alight before leaving the area. The woman, who jumped out of a first-floor window to safety, is fortunate to have survived the attack.

Abbie Clarke, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Nicholas Martin carefully planned and carried out a terrifying plot to murder his ex-partner.

“This vile act of cowardice nearly took his victim’s life, and today’s verdict reflects the extent of his malicious and sinister actions.

“I would like to thank the victim for her endless support throughout our prosecution. Her strength has undoubtedly allowed us to bring the strongest possible case against her abuser, bringing him to justice. I hope today’s outcome allows her to begin moving forward with her life, knowing he will face the consequences of his horrifying actions.” 

Nicholas Martin had been in a relationship with the woman since 2019.

In August 2021 the couple went to Scotland together where Martin subjected her to a vicious and sustained attack in their holiday accommodation. He shook her, hitting her against the walls and floor and would not allow her to leave the room. She was left with extensive bruising as a result of the attack.

On 14 September 2024, Martin was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and released on strict bail conditions to live in Leicester, not to go to her address and to have no contact with his ex-partner.

Martin broke his bail conditions by travelling to Worsley on 21 October 2024. He booked into a hotel and waited until the middle of the night to execute his plans so that his ex-partner would be asleep.

At 4.15am on 22 October 2024, he drove to his ex-partner’s house and poured petrol through the letterbox before setting it alight and then fled the scene, driving back to the hotel. Later that morning, in an attempt to evade arrest, he booked into a hotel in the Lake District.

His ex-partner, who had been asleep in bed, heard the letterbox rattling and having seen the fire, jumped from a first-floor window to escape, breaking both her ankles and a vertebrae in her back in the process.

Martin was arrested on 23 October 2024, at a hotel in the Lake District, where a petrol can containing petrol was recovered.

He made no comment in his police interview and went on to plead not guilty at court. Despite later admitting to causing the fire, he claimed he had no intention to kill his ex-partner.

On 10 September 2025, he was found guilty after trial of attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Martin will be sentenced on 10 November 2025.