Man jailed after setting ex's home on fire

Leroy Owen turned up at his former partner's home and said he wanted to reconcile

A man who turned up at his former partner's home, three months after their relationship ended, and set it on fire, has been jailed.

Leroy Owen, 41, of no fixed address, started the fire in December after he had argued with his ex and claimed he wanted to reconcile.

The woman later saw smoke near her front door and called 999. She was rescued and taken to hospital where she was treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

Owen appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday 29 February where he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Owen turned up to the property in Paston, at around 20:30 GMT on 5 December claiming he wanted to pick up some of his belongings and reconcile with the victim.

He became verbally abusive after the woman had asked him to leave.

At around 01:10 on 6 December the victim found smoke coming from her front door and saw flames coming from the electric metre box.

Firefighters were able to rescue the victim and put out the fire, which had spread to neighbouring houses.

Both homes were left with significant damage and an investigation concluded the fire had been deliberate.

'Incredibly dangerous'

In a police interview, Owen admitted it was "more than likely" his cigarette started the fire.

He said: "I do believe I caused the fire and if I have caused it, I haven't done it on purpose, it was not intentional."

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for one count of arson and recklessness where life was endangered after pleading guilty.

Det Con Lizzy Aspland said: “Owen’s actions that night were incredibly dangerous and reckless – lives could’ve been lost.

“I would like to commend the firefighters for getting the fire under control and I also pay tribute to the victim - her courage throughout this case and her cooperation has meant we could bring Owen to justice.”