An arsonist set fire to his then partner's home after assaulting her by throwing a canvas at her head. He was intoxicated when he set two fires near the oven and another to material on the floor.
Lloyd Jenkins, 34, set fire to his ex girlfriend's flat in Milford Haven on October 17, 2022. The victim had already gone to a neighbour's house having been assaulted by the defendant. As a result of his actions, she and her children were left homeless.
A sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Monday heard the couple, who have a child together, had gone to a few bars in Milford Haven but an argument broke out when the victim accused Jenkins of dancing with other people.
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He stormed off but later turned up at the victim's flat, demanding her phone to ring his brother. She said he could sleep on the sofa but Jenkins "lost his temper" and threw a canvas photograph at her, which hit her on the head.
After the victim had gone to a neighbour's house, Jenkins smashed up a number of items including a television and table. He then set fire to synthetic material on top of and inside the oven, and to material on a linoleum floor.
Jenkins left the flat as the victim heard the fire alarm sounding. The fire brigade was called who could see smoke coming from the flat when they arrived. Two firefighters entered the flat and saved the victim's dog but the defendant had fled.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Catherine Richards said the victim's flat was part of a block of four and the fire could have put four households at risk. Jenkins was arrested later that day and denied the offences.
The defendant, of The Ponds, Hundleton, Pembrokeshire, faced trial and was found guilty of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, battery and criminal damage. The court heard he had previous convictions for violent offences.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton, the victim said: "Since this incident my life has been turned totally upside down. My children and I have been made homeless because of the arson. The children are unsettled and have disturbed sleep. I am waking in my sleep and having nightmares so I can't go back to sleep and I'm suffering from anxiety. I feel numb and can't eat."
In mitigation, the court heard Jenkins has four children to whom he provides financially through his job as a shellfish fisherman. It was also said he was working to address his issues with alcohol.
Judge Richard said the defendant's previous convictions, his intoxication and the domestic context of the offence were aggravating features. She sentenced Jenkins to a total of four years imprisonment.
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