A man has been jailed for setting fire to his Woodchurch home with his 10-week-old son inside.

Matthew Clark, 39, told police that the blaze started after he tried to mend a plastic toy helicopter by melting it with a lit match.

A burning fragment set a bed alight and he left without trying to put it out or tell anyone.

Clark admitted arson when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court and also admitted stealing jewellery and breaching a suspended prison sentence.

Bridget Todd, prosecuting, said at the time of the fire Clark was living with his then partner Joanna Crouch in Lower Road, Woodchurch. On February 2 they decided to split up and Ms Crouch agreed to drive Clark to a friend’s home.

Miss Todd said: “Clark packed his bags and Ms Crouch was about to drive away when her father came out of the house with their son and said there was a fire.”

Neighbours said Clark smelled strongly of alcohol and was "off his face" on drugs, Miss Todd said. The fire caused £3,500 damage to the house, owned by Ashford Borough Council.

Clark also admitted taking three watches worth £30 from a shop in St George’s Street, Canterbury on April 1 this year.

Miss Todd said he had previous convictions for theft and for setting fire to his prison cell in 2004.

Phil Rowley, defending, said “Upon his release from prison he will be dry and committed to not committing any offences in the future,” adding, “he is anxious to put these matters behind him”.

Recorder Jason Dunn-Shaw jailed Clark for a total of two-and-a-half years for all the offences.