A BLOCK of flats had to be evacuated after a top floor resident cut the gas pipe behind her oven, a court heard.

Abigail Povey, 22, of Kirkstall Close, Toothill, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday where she entered no pleas to a charge of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was endangered. She has also been charged with harassing her ex-partner, assault by beating, common assault and two counts of criminal damage.

It came after firefighters were called to Kirkstall Close in the early hours of Saturday morning after reports Povey had cut a gas pipe in her house. The block of six flats had to be evacuated.

Magistrates heard that earlier that night, Povey had allegedly gone to her ex-partner’s home and remonstrated with the man. When a woman arrived in her car, she was said to have tried to get into the vehicle – pulling the door handle with such force that it broke off.

Povey was remanded in custody to appear before Swindon Crown Court on Friday, February 21.