Married New York man Steven Somerville is sentenced to up to 29 years in prison for stalking and thr

A married New York man is facing a minimum of 27 years in jail after he stalked and threatened to kill his mistress before setting her house on fire because she threatened to end things.

Steven Somerville, 52, became obsessed with his victim after the two met at work in 2021.

They began a short relationship in October of that year, but things soon turned sour after he began bombarding her with unwanted attention.

His wife discovered the affair and contacted his lover with concerns for her safety and urged her to contact police.

On December 4, the woman attempted to end her relationship with controlling Somerville and he threatened to kill her.

Steven Somerville, 52, torched the home of his former mistress when she tried to break up with him

She fled her Forest Hills apartment with her three children to a domestic violence shelter.

Whilst there, Somerville hounded her with more than 100 phone calls in a 24 hour period.

He also sent menacing text messages which read: 'I want you to know that I'm really going to kill you;' and 'There is no where I won't find you now. I'm gonna devote my whole life to finding you and killing you.' 

Three days later, he entered her empty apartment and piled up two mattresses along with all her possessions before setting them alight.

Somerville escaped out of a window and locked the door to ensure any occupants would be trapped. 

The chilling incident has echoes of the famous 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction in which Glenn Close's character develops a dangerous and violent obsession with and Michael Douglas'. 

The incident bore similarities to the 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction starring Glenn Close (left) and Michael Douglas (right)

Somerville was was convicted by a jury in July 2023 of arson in the second degree, burglary in the second degree, reckless endangerment, criminal contempt in the first degree and stalking in the third and fourth degrees. 

Queens Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone, Jr. sentenced Somerville to 27 to 29 years in jail on Thursday.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: 'Access to a domestic violence shelter may very well have saved this woman's life. 

'I urge victims of domestic violence who need safety planning services, or help in securing an order of protection or shelter placement, to call our 24-hour DV Helpline at (718) 286-4410.' 

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