A NEWPORT man who set fire to his mother’s home is beginning a 32-month prison sentence.

Christopher Priestnall appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The court heard how the incident happened on December 27 last year, when the 23-year-old was staying at his mother’s address in Baird Close, Malpas.

Following an argument with his sister Rachel, during which he threatened to strangle her, Priestnall began taking tablets from the kitchen.

Prosecutor James Wilson said she ran from the property to go to her grandmother’s house and in the meantime the defendant set fire to clothes in his bedroom wardrobe.

The court was told how firemen had to drag Priestnall, who was screaming hysterically, from the terraced house.

It was estimated around £11,000 of damage was caused to the property, which was owned by Newport City Homes, with one windowcompletely burnt out.

The court was told Priestnall committed the act as a ‘cry for help’ and defence counsel Stephen Thomas said his client realised it was ‘a situation which got out of control’.

Mr Thomas said: “He has no explanation other than he lost his self control and meant no harm to anyone other than himself.”

The court heard Priestnall’s loss of control could have been attributed to a problem with cannabis and amphetamines, and he is now committed to remaining drug free.

Sentencing the defendant to 32 months in prison, judge Patrick Curran QC told him the arson could have put his family and neighbouring home owners in danger, had the fire spread.

Judge Curran described it as an ‘impulsive act’ from a young man ‘withdrawn from life’ who spends most of his time in his bedroom.

At the time of the incident, neighbours told the Argus they saw flames as high as the house and smoke billowing from the bedroom window.