A FATHER-of-two who in one night twice set fire to his estranged wife’s house has been jailed by a crown court judge.

Bardon Davis, 31, was told he posed such a "significant risk of danger to the public" that an indeterminate sentence had to be imposed.

He must serve a minimum of five years, less 118 days already spent in custody, before being considered for parole.

Judge Stephen Robbins, sitting at Maidstone Crown Court, said Davis had committed the arson attacks against a background of harassment against his wife and had "aggravated and exacerbated" matters by returning to the end terrace house in Sorrel Close, Edenbridge, to set fire to it for a second time.

"I am satisfied that you do represent a significant risk to the public now and in the future," he added.

The court heard that Davis and his wife, Gemma, were separated at the time of the two arson attacks on January 3.

Robin Johnson, prosecuting, said that during their relationship Davis had become jealous and would accuse his wife of having affairs, even with his brothers. "This was wholly unfounded," he said.

Davis was also on bail for an offence of battery against his wife and for assault with intent to resist arrest, with a condition that he lived in Devon.

However, on January 2 he made "violent and unpleasant" calls to both Mrs Davis and his brother, Luke, who was staying at the house with Mrs Davis and her two children, aged four and two.

"Those calls were sufficiently threatening and worrying that Mrs Davis, the brother and the children had left the house before the defendant attended."

Mr Johnson said that by tracing the calls made by Davis on his mobile phone the police discovered Davis had travelled up from Torquay that evening, arriving in Edenbridge just after midnight.

A short while later a neighbour in Sorrel Close spotted the fire and the fire brigade were called. The court heard the blaze had started in an upstairs bedroom while the house had been smashed up beforehand and a fire alarm ripped from the ceiling.

The fire brigade left once the blaze was out and left windows open for ventiliation. However, this only served to fan the flames of the second blaze started by Davis.

"On this occasion it was extremely serious, destroyed all the contents and caused extensive damage," said Mr Johnson. "The property was rented from a housing association and was totally gutted. It was only due to the skill of the fire brigade that the fire was contained and did not reach those living and sleeping next door."

Mobile phones belonging to Mrs Davis and her brother-in-law revealed messages from Davis that evening. One received at about 2.30am said: "The house is on fire. I hope she is dead."

Davis, of Keyberry Road, Newton Abbot, was arrested the following day back in Devon. Mr Johnson told the court that he admitted making some "unpleasant" threats in telephone calls but "categorically denied" setting fire to the house.

However, during a court appearance in July Davis, who has nine previous convictions for 24 offences including assault and threatening behaviour, admitted two offences of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Stephen Shay, defending, said Davis recognised the distress he caused to his wife and children and acknowledged his problems with alcohol and drugs.

"That attitude is very much in his favour," added Mr Shay, "and it can be treated as genuine. He may be someone who is best advised to give up alcohol altogether."

Upon his release Judge Robbins recommended that the parole board impose conditions that Davis receives treatment for his addictions.