A man who caused thousands of pounds of damage when he set fire to his partner's house has been jailed for four years.

Homeless Jason Hale, 25, used his lover's neighbours' homes to gain access to the property in Lower Boxley Road in Maidstone on November 18 last year.

He claimed he had locked himself out and needed to get in through the back - even coming through on one occasion with a candle lighter in his hand.

But moments later there was a loud bang, and surrounding homes had to be evacuated when a fire was discovered in an upstairs bedroom.

Outside on a wall was written 'www.jaydiy.com'.

Hale was found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard Hale had originally claimed the fire had been started accidentally, before it was discovered there were two start points in the bedroom.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Simon Powell said: "It's with great ease and speed that fires can spread, especially in a terraced property, and it is by good fortune that no one was hurt or far worse, killed.

"By starting a fire in the bedroom, Hale showed great disregard for his family's home and their possessions and he will quite rightly now have to serve a custodial sentence."

Hale was also given a further eight week jail sentence for stealing a purse, which will be served at the same time as the arson sentence.