A businessman who torched his ex-wife's nightclub in a jealous rage has been jailed for six years.

James Pemble made threats to Emma Sexton and the man with whom he believed she had cheated before setting fire to Players in Maidstone High Street.

Having started two separate blazes inside the building using Jack Daniels whiskey as an accelerant and a disposable lighter, the 43-year-old texted Ms Sexton to say: "The club is burning" and "Have a nice life".

Maidstone Crown Court heard his bid to torch the club, which he had signed over to Ms Sexton after he was declared bankrupt and convicted of drink-driving, was interrupted when the manager arrived.

Pemble initially fled on foot, only to rob a delivery driver - who he knew - of his van.

The threats made to Ms Sexton’s friend, James Boston, included a telephone call in which he asked to meet in Pembury Woods where he would “kick and beat his head in”.

Pemble, of Lucks Lane, Paddock Wood, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, robbery, driving while disqualified and without insurance and improper use of a public communication network.

He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order imposed for various offences, including having a bladed article when Ms Sexton was again the victim, less than three months before the arson in October, last year.

A psychiatric report prepared for the sentencing hearing stated Pemble suffered from two mental health disorders including an untreatable one caused by chronic substance abuse.

Of the arson attack on Players, his barrister Matthew Dance said the catalyst was Ms Sexton’s alleged infidelity, together with the adding of Mr Boston's name to the tenancy agreement.

Passing sentence, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said Pemble had acted out of "sexual jealousy".

A restraining order in respect of Ms Sexton is expected to be applied for at a later date.

The court heard the fires, one started at the back door and another upstairs, consisted of dense smoke rather than flame, and damage was minimal. No monetary value was stated in court.

There were no customers at the time, while the flat next door was owned by Pemble and unoccupied.

The hairdressing salon on the other side was also said to be empty.

The van driver, Zahid Rehman, first agreed to give him a lift to the top of the High Street in Maidstone.

However, when he refused Pemble’s demand to take him to Ashford, Mr Rehman was pushed from the vehicle and Pemble drove off.

He was found by police on a bridge over the M20 at Ashford, threatening to jump.

The court also heard that in 2011, the former marquee hire company boss was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay the same sum in court costs.

He admitted two Health and Safety at Work Act breaches concerning an employee who was electrocuted while working in Gloucestershire four years earlier.