Jailed: Arsonist who set fire to ex-partner's house

The 38-year-old slipped into the house while his ex-partner was out, filled the bath with her clothes, then set them on fire causing over £10,000 worth of damage, a judge heard.

The woman returned as Williams – believed to have been high on a cocktail of drink and drugs – left the property in Bilston Road, Bilston and told her: "You had better call the fire brigade because your house is on fire."

The woman did not take him seriously until she smelled smoke, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Both she and her dog escaped uninjured while the 90-year-old woman - who lived on the other side of the semi detached property - was also unhurt in the March 7 blaze.

Mr Rupert Jones, prosecuting, revealed: "The brigade spent 10 minutes putting out the fire that had been started in the bathroom. Clothes had been put in the bath and ignited, melting the tub and burning through the floor. The owner estimated that it caused more than £10,000 damage."

At the time of the arson attack Williams was on bail with a condition that he should stay away from his former partner. He was armed with a four-inch blade steak knife when traced and arrested by police later the same day.

The defendant had previous convictions for battery, criminal damage and harassment involving the same victim, the court heard.

Mr David Bratt, defending, said Williams had a heart complaint and was 'genuinely penitent but has nobody to blame but himself.'

The lawyer continued: "The relationship was a rollercoaster ride. There were disagreements which were sometimes tit for tat. Alcohol also played its part.

"When he gets into situations with which he has difficulty dealing he tries to block them out with drink or drugs. He cannot remember why he started this fire and recalls little of what happened.

"But he had not gone there with an accelerant. I cannot say what the motive was but it appears to have been an impetuous, impulsive act. He is a drug addict with a chronic heart complaint who accepts that this relationship is at an end."

Williams from Stubby Lane, Wednesfield admitted arson while reckless as to whether life was endangered and possession of a knife and was jailed for four years eight months by Judge Martin Walsh who told him: "This was a semi detached house with 90-year-old woman next door. There was genuine risk of injury or worse to those called out to deal with the fire and those living nearby."