A defiant thug and arsonist is facing years behind bars after a judge branded him a public danger.

Paul Wakefield had previously beaten and tortured his ex-partner, assaulted police and prison officers and dished out racist abuse.

Now the 37-year-old must serve three-and-a-half years in jail before the parole board will consider his release after being convicted of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice by trying to intimidate witnesses while in custody.

Wakefield, of Begonia Avenue, Gillingham, poured petrol through the letter box of the home of the parents of his former partner Susan Brown and set fire to it, causing £60,000 worth of damage.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the couple had parted four years earlier after a 12-year relationship.

They have a son, aged 11.

Catherine Donnelly, defending, said: "The background is his relationship with Susan Brown.

"He no longer sees his child. That is something which weighs heavily on him. It probably resulted in the unfortunate matters we are dealing with today."

Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Carey said the Brown family had been subjected to fear by a persistent and irrational man.

He had no doubt, he said, that Wakefield set fire to the bungalow in frustration at not getting a response from the family.

"The jury’s verdict demonstrates this defendant neither knew nor cared if there was anyone in the premises," he said.

"The sentence for this offence must be substantial to mark society’s abhorrence of fire-raising, which puts people at grave risk of death or serious injury."

• More on this story in Friday's Medway Messenger.