A 24-year-old man has been jailed for two years after setting fire to his girlfriend’s car in Newtown while high on drink and drugs.

Thomas Alan Watkins, 24, earlier threatened to torch her home and her car, Mold Crown Court heard yesterday. Victim Andrea Leek, who had been in a six-month relationship with Watkins, was left devastated by the fire which destroyed her Ford Fiesta at her home in Ffordd Croes Awdy.

Watkins, of Colwyn, Treowen, Newtown, admitted arson following the fire in September and was jailed for two years.

Judge Niclas Parry said it was a deliberate act of revenge, the culmination of many weeks of threats including threats to burn his victim’s property.

“You were out of control due to increasing anger, knowing that it would hurt your victim you made threats,” he said.

Judge Parry said the risk to others, particularly firefighters, and those who lived nearby, was obvious.

Mr Meirion Lewis-Jones, prosecuting, said the victim had been in a relationship with the defendant for six months. He said one night in September the couple had been out but the victim went home early because she had to be up in the morning.

Mr Lewis-Jones said Watkins sent Miss Leek text messages, which became threatening, including one that read: “Your house is going to blaze.”

In the morning she found two flat tyres on her car.

The court heard on September 30, she was out with a work colleague and the defendant approached and was behaving oddly.

Mr Lewis-Jones said that evening she was at home with her mother when she saw a flickering light and found her car engulfed in flames. There were two explosions and the car, which had cost her £7,000, was a write-off.

Miss Hannah Wood, for Watkins, said the defendant had been using steroids and cocaine and been drinking to excess. She added that for the first time he appreciated that he needed help.