A MAN'S threat to set himself on fire during a stand-off in Weymouth harbour was sparked by a split with his 15-year-old girlfriend, a court was told.

Robin Smith doused himself in petrol on a boat during a dramatic two-hour confrontation with police, Dorchester Crown Court was told.

The 21-year-old later said he carried out the act in a desperate bid to talk to his girlfriend after they had split up.

Recorder Christopher Wilson-Smith ordered Smith, of Netherton Road, Weymouth, to carry out 150 hours of community work after he admitted charges of affray and making off without payment. Smith was not drunk and had not taken drugs at the time of the incident, the court heard.

Prosecutor Neil Mitchell said the drama was sparked when Smith left his home in a 'rage' because the girl's foster-parents had banned her from seeing him.

The defendant headed into Weymouth town centre at around 10pm driving 'erratically', Mr Mitchell said, after stealing £15.64-worth of petrol in a can from a filling station on Dorchester Road.

A police officer followed Smith to the quay near the town bridge, where he jumped from the car and on to the cabin of a moored fishing boat, the court heard.

"He had a petrol can and lighter in his hand - he told the officer he would set light to himself," Mr Mitchell said.

"He then poured petrol all over the vessel and continued the threats in full view of the public. Smith threw petrol in the direction of the crowd - some of which hit officers and went in their eyes."

The area was sealed off, while police liased with firefighters, ambulance crews and a team from the RNLI, which launched the inshore lifeboat, the court heard.

Police eventually grabbed Smith after almost two hours, Mr Mitchell said.

"He told officers what he had done was an attention-seeking ploy to see his girlfriend," he said. "He immediately apologised for his actions. Tests revealed he had not been drinking or taken drugs."

Mitigating, Nick Tucker said Smith had no previous convictions and was 'deeply ashamed' of what he had done.

"This was an act of gross adolescent stupidity," he said.

"It was never his intention to set himself or anyone else on fire, this is simply something that spiralled out of control."

Sentencing Smith, Recorder Wilson-Smith told him: "I've no doubt you bitterly regret what you did and that it was an attention-seeking ploy. You can count yourself very lucky not to receive a jail sentence."