A WITNESS to an attempted petrol bombing thought his “life was in danger” as he heard “terrified screams” accompanied by the strong smell of fuel.

The man, who lives in the surrounding area but wishes to remain anonymous, described the actions of Talisa Windsor as “unforgivable”.

He gave evidence as Windsor, of Amberley Drive in Hangleton, was found guilty of attempted arson. 

He was playing a computer game before hearing “screaming which sounded like someone was getting attacked”.

The man described the “really strong” smell of petrol which prompted him to phone the fire brigade.

He told The Argus: “My immediate thought was that our lives were in danger and I was really worried there could be a major explosion or something.

“If their house went up in flames, it could have caused anybody’s house to go up too, so it could have been a really serious incident."

Windsor stole 3.7 litres of petrol from a petrol station which she poured around the front door of a house in Moyne Close, Hove, at 6.35pm on Tuesday, May 11, last year.

Front door camera footage caught Windsor trying to light a glass bottle filled with tissue and petrol before throwing it at the front door of the house which had two children inside.

The Argus: Talisa Windsor was captured throwing the crude petrol bomb at the front door, as well as stealing petrol from a petrol station nearbyTalisa Windsor was captured throwing the crude petrol bomb at the front door, as well as stealing petrol from a petrol station nearby

The occupants were known to her.

The crude petrol bomb failed to ignite, with the 30-year-old exclaiming “s***” before picking the bottle up and throwing it at another part of the house.

“What she has done is unforgiveable, that is totally unacceptable," the witness added. 

"She has put people’s lives at risk. But what made me more angry was there were children involved, they were really frightened."

Last Friday, Windsor was convicted of attempted arson reckless as to endanger life after she threw a crude petrol bomb at the front door of a house.

The 30-year-old was jailed for six years, including a further three years on extended licence at Chichester Crown Court.

Investigating officer for Sussex Police DC Rose Horan said: “This was an extremely disturbing incident which threatened the lives of a family with two young children, who were inside the house when Talisa Windsor attempted to set it alight.”

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