Lewis Smith threatened to burn TNT Depot building

Lewis Smith filmed the stunt shortly before he quit his job at the TNT Depot in Nursling.

During the video, the 24-year-old made veiled threats to burn down the building, on the Nursling Industrial Estate.

He also appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court, having assaulted his mother and step-father, who he also threatened with a knife.

The court heard how Smith, who has Aspergers, had suffered a deterioration in his mental health before both incidents took place.

Prosecuting, Julie Macey said how Smith had posted a video on Facebook, showing him burning his work clothes.

She said: “The video showed him burning his TNT uniform and making veiled threats about the building before notifying them of his resignation. These were sent to another member of staff and his mother. He said he wanted to burn down the TNT building and preferred it if two named people were inside the building at the time.”

Ms Macey said the assault on his mother and step-father took place two days later. She said how Smith pushed his mother against the wall and punched her several times. He also headbutted his step-father “several times”, Ms Macey said.

She added that Smith later threatened both with a knife, before he was arrested.

Ms Macey said that both parents had raised concern that Smith’s mental health was deteriorating prior to both incidents. She added that after his arrest, doctors had assessed Smith to consider sectioning him under the mental health act – but ultimately opted against the decision.

In mitigation, Michael McGoldrick said Smith, of Ringwood Road, Avon, who now works for Pizza Hut, required “long term assistance” from the probation service to help with his mental health.

Magistrates sentenced Smith, who pleaded guilty to two assaults and one count of sending an offensive message, to a 12 month community order, which included 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also fined £25 and ordered to pay £125 in costs.