Raging mum, 50, torched £900 worth of husband’s clothes after rumbling affair with best friend and sister-in-law
A RAGING mum torched £900 worth of her husband’s clothes after rumbling his affair with her best friend and sister-in-law.
Rhian Templeton chucked trainers, suits, coats and shirts on a bonfire in the back garden before sending a picture to husband Stephen.
The 50-year-old had flown into a rage after receiving the “shattering” news he had been having an affair with childhood pal Lucy Bradley.
Templeton was hauled before the courts following the fire and convicted of arson.
But the mum-of-four avoided jail and was instead handed a 12-month community order for the “act of stupidity”.
In a victim impact statement, husband Stephen told how he was “shocked” when he received the photo.
He added: “She knew some of the clothing was of sentimental value to me and she still destroyed my stuff.
“It was blind revenge – I’ve lost friends and family because of this.”
Cardiff Crown Court was told ex-soldier Templeton discovered the affair through a number of phonecalls.
The couple were separated at the time of the fire in May 2021 and have since been through a “torturous” divorce.
Templeton decided to get her revenge by starting the bonfire in the garden of their marital home.
Prosecutor Jenny Yeo said: “It was a revenge attack and she would have known that the property would have been completely destroyed in the fire.
“There was high culpability, the bonfire would have to have been prepared and there would have been time for reflection.
“It’s clearly had an impact on the complainant.”
The court was told Templeton had no previous convictions and the offence did not pass the custody threshold.
Hilary Roberts, defending, said: “It was a spontaneous act after she received the shattering news that her husband had started an affair with her sister-in-law and best friend.
“That was a trigger point that led to the bonfire in the back garden. It could be regarded as a spiteful act.”
As well as a community order, Templeton was also told to complete 60 hours of unpaid work and complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
She will also have to pay £150 towards prosecution costs and a £95 victim surcharge.