An arsonist bought a can of petrol and set fire to the door of a mother’s flat in the dead of night in a revenge attack, a court heard.

Tragedy was avoided because one of Scenty Lamb’s young children got up in the night and saw smoke coming through the door.

About 30 minutes earlier, Darryl Young was captured on CCTV cameras at a service station buying £1.49 worth of petrol.

Jailing the 21-year-old, of Cliffe Road, Strood, for five years and four months, a judge said his actions could have led to “a terrible tragedy”.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Miss Lamb, her two daughters, aged five and one, and friend Lewis Flint had gone to bed in the first floor flat in Albatross Avenue, Strood, on Sunday June 12.

One of the daughters awoke around midnight and went into the kitchen. The smoke detectors sounded and she saw smoke seeping through the front door.

“She could see flames in the doorway porch,” said prosecutor Keith Yardy. “She threw a pan of water over the flames until they were out.”

"One only has to set out the facts to indicate how serious your actions were on this day and could so easily have led to a terrible tragedy" - Judge Adele Williams

The family and other residents of the block of six flats were evacuated.

Mr Yardy said a witness had shortly before midnight seen a man running from the area with a petrol can in his hand.

He tried to grab a bag from some bushes but dropped it. Police recovered it and Young’s DNA was found on it. The can was seen on fire in a nearby field.

Mr Yardy said the blaze at the flat, owned by Medway Housing Society, was put out quickly and there was just smoke damage.

Young, a ground worker for the housing society who was locked up for 40 months in November 2013 for four robberies, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The court heard he torched the door because his girlfriend, a mum-of-three, was in dispute with Miss Lamb. He told a psychiatrist: “I wanted to scare her to make her back off.”

Nick Bonehill, defending, said: “There were minor issues between his partner and the victim. He goes and commits this incredibly stupid act.

“He makes it clear there is no bad will. He apologises unreservedly.”

Judge Adele Williams told Young, who appeared by video link with Elmley Prison, Sheppey: “There is no doubt this was a serious offence indeed.

“One only has to set out the facts to indicate how serious your actions were on this day and could so easily have led to a terrible tragedy.

“I have no doubt your victim and children were badly affected by the trauma of the event, as were those in the building who left their homes.

“Mercifully, your victim was alerted by the smoke alarm.”

The judge added that Young saying he wanted to scare Miss Lamb amounted to “a revenge attack motivated by malice”.

After sentencing, investigating officer Caroline Morton said: "Young carried out a callous attack which could have had devastating consequences.

"Luckily, for the victim, her friend and children who were caught up in this crime, they had working smoke alarms which made all the difference to them getting out in time.

"They may not have been physically scarred but the mental impact will stay with them for a long time."