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AN arsonist who set fire to his former partner’s front door while she was inside with a child has been jailed for four years.
John Prest, formerly of Eastlea Crescent, Seaham, was arrested in November after purchasing £4.32 of petrol and dousing the front of the woman’s house in it.
When he ignited the petrol with a lighter, both she and one of her children were inside the house.
Thankfully, the fire did not take hold and the flames were petering out when emergency services arrived.
Prest, 34, who was “paralytically drunk” and smelling strongly of petrol was arrested shortly after.
Appearing at court in December, Prest plead guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Last week he was handed a four-year prison sentence at Durham Crown Court and a seven-year restraining order forbidding him from contacting his former partner.
Inspector Joanne Malkin, of Seaham Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “The results here could have been catastrophic, and it was sheer luck that this incident didn’t have seriously devastating consequences.
“But despite the physical damage being minimal, the victims are nonetheless suffering from the psychological harm of such an attack, and I hope Mr Prest reflects on that over the course of his sentence.”
If you have any information relating to arson, call Durham Police on 101.
Alternatively, you can make anonymous reports to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Firestoppers on 0800 169 5558.