Two friends have escaped an immediate prison sentence for a 'wicked and dangerous' firework attack on the home of an ex-boyfriend.
Hannah Linklater, 23, had been in a three-year relationship with the older man, which a judge said had become 'toxic and volatile'.
Two weeks after the relationship ended, on March 5 last year, Linklater drove to his home in Burnage, Manchester, with her friend, Louise Burgess.
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Burgess, 27, lit a firework and wedged it through the letterbox, Manchester Crown Court was told.
The man, who was asleep, but heard the sound of his letterbox opening, went to the top of his stairs to find his carpet on fire below.
The court heard he stamped out the flames and wasn't injured.
Linklater, of Ashby Avenue, Burnage; and Burgess, of Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, were both later arrested.
They subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The court heard the attack was captured on the man's CCTV system.
Simon Barrett, prosecuting, said the victim saw both Linklater and Burgess later the same day.
Linklater, he said, laughed at him and told him she 'would do his mum's next'.
The court heard her relationship with the man had become 'toxic and abusive' - and the offence was 'very much of the moment'.
Linklater was described as 'extremely vulnerable'.
Judge Hilary Manley was told Burgess was drinking at the time, got involved 'in the spur of the moment' and 'immediately wished that she had not done it'.
Judge Manley said: "To push a lit firework through the letterbox of someone's home is a wicked and dangerous thing to do.
"It could have been very serious indeed."
The judge told them the offence was 'borne out of anger as a result of a toxic and volatile relationship' which began when Linklater was 17.
"I am satisfied that you were vulnerable and affected by the toxicity of this relationship," Judge Manley told her.
The judge told Burgess she had 'witnessed the effect' the relationship had on Linklater, but she 'foolishly allowed' herself to get 'caught up' in what her friend wanted to do.
Judge Manley pointed to 'exceptional' circumstances in the case, strong mitigation and a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation'.
Both Linklater and Burgess sobbed in the dock as they were jailed for two years, suspended for two years.
They were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, alongside a rehabilitation requirement.
"You are receiving one chance," Judge Manley told them.
The judge passed a restraining order preventing the parties from having any contact with each other, to run for an indefinite period.
