A MAN who attacked his partner before setting fire to her car has been jailed for three years.

Worcester Crown Court heard Richard Doe attacked his partner after drinking before destroying her car.

Doe, aged 32, of Madresfield Road, Malvern, went drinking after an argument with Emma Timbrell, at a house they shared in Berrows Close, Malvern, on January 9.

Prosecutor Peter Grice, at Worcester Crown Court, said on his return he tried to cook himself some food and when Miss Timbrell complained about noise, he punched her several times on the arms and head.

He squeezed her neck and dragged her by the hair.

He smashed seven bottles of her perfume before walking out of the house and starting a fire which destroyed her Peugeot car, worth £2,000.

Police rescued Miss Timbrell and her children, aged six and two, from the house and neighbours felt endangered by the blaze, with flames leaping to a height of 15ft, the court heard.

Doe was arrested two days later and made a prepared statement saying he had taken six sleeping pills and his mind was a “blur”.

Richard Hull, defending, said Miss Timbrell had made a supportive statement saying she was helping him to conquer his “demons” of alcohol and drugs.

She felt with her support she was helping to put him on the right track, he told the court.

Doe admitted assault by battery and arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

In custody, away from drugs and drink, Doe had been calm and showed remorse and insight to his offending.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said Doe had a record of dishonesty, criminal damage and violence and was fortunate not to have been charged with a more serious offence for the attack.

He imposed a sentence of two years and nine months for the arson plus a consecutive three months for the assault.