A criminal who destroyed an elderly widow's house by setting fire to it after it was burgled has been jailed for four years three months.

Anthony Tomkins, 40, torched the home in Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, to try to stop Anthony Wilson being arrested for the break-in.

But 51-year-old Wilson was caught and has now been jailed for three years nine months for the burglary.

Tomkins, of Penge, south east London, admitted arson and Wilson, also of Penge, admitted burglary.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the home owner, Pamela Fisher, 71, was away on holiday in June last year when she was told she had been burgled and the property had been set on fire, causing £100,000 worth of damage.

Ed Fowler, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing fire investigators soon discovered the blaze was not accidental.

It was started in three separate areas - the hallway, living room and a bedroom.

Traces of a flammable liquid thought to be petrol was found on the carpet. A jewellery box was open and clothing was scattered on the floor.

Mr Fowler said blood staining was found in several rooms and matched to Wilson.

He and Tomkins were caught on CCTV cameras filling a petrol can and putting it into a car boot before the burglary.

"After the realisation of a forensic link, a plan was hatched to return and destroy the house," said Mr Fowler.

Wilson asked for other burglary offences to be taken into consideration.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said Mrs Fisher had been forced to live in temporary accommodation since the blaze.

"Whatever sentence I pass cannot bring back the memories destroyed and the violation you caused by entering that person's house," he said.

"I am not trying to put a figure on that violation. Someone does not feel safe in their own home - that is the seriousness of burglary."

The judge told Wilson: "You are a professional burglar to fund your drug habit."

Both Tomkins and Wilson had lengthy previous convictions. Wilson, who was suffering from cancer, had committed two previous burglaries.