AN MAN has been jailed for three years and 10 months after starting a fire at his ex-partner's home.

At Bolton Crown Court Michael Halliday pleaded guilty to reckless arson, harassment and criminal damage.

The court was told how Halliday's three-month relationship with Kayleigh Stainton had ended and she rejected his repeated requests to spend Christmas last year with her.

But on Boxing Day he went round to her Kimberley Road, Astley Bridge, home and began banging on the door and throwing stones at her window.

Police were called and he left, only to return later, creating a disturbance before using a cigarette to set fire to a cardboard box and paper, near her back door.

He left and police, who had been called back to the address, opened the back door to discover the blaze and the fire service was called. No damage was caused.

Daniel Calder, defending, said: "The defendant accepts that he threw a cigarette into a bag intending a fire should start. He did not deliberately erect a bonfire."

He added that the arson was not planned and no one was injured.

"He is deeply ashamed of his actions," said Mr Calder.

Halliday, aged 30, worked as a window cleaner after leaving school without qualifications, and is now taking educational courses.

"He aims to put these skills to use in a productive and law-abiding future for himself," said Mr Calder.

Sentencing Halliday, of Baxendale Street, Bolton, to 46 months in jail, Judge Graeme Smith referred to the arson attack in Walkden in which two men were jailed for life last week for the murder of four children.

"We all know just how serious the consequences of arson can be," said the judge.

"Fortunately for everyone involved, including you, this was not as serious [as the Walkden incident]."

Halliday, who appeared in court via a video link from prison, was also made subject to a restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Stainton for five years.