34-year-old Jamie Paton committed the arson on 11 November 2024. He later made threats to “petrol bomb” a rival’s address.
Despite efforts to avoid arrest, Paton was found by police in December after CCTV showed him and his “distinctive walk” carrying a jerry can of petrol towards the car.
On being arrested, he became “abusive and aggressive”, damaging a police vehicle and launching into a tirade of homophobic abuse based on the female constable’s appearance.
(Image: South Wales Police)
Sentencing Paton at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Geraint Walters described he arson attack as “outrageous” and described his homophobic outburst towards the police officer as “absolutely appalling”.
He was sentenced to 25 months in prison – 22 months for the arson and three months for the offences after being arrested. After pleading guilty, he will serve no more than half his sentence in custody, before being released on licence.
Paton has 12 previous convictions for 24 offences including public disorder, fraud, dealing cannabis, damaging property, and drug driving.
PC Lisa Stokes from South Wales Police said: “Jamie Paton is clearly a hot-headed and immature individual who was unwilling to accept the consequences for his own actions.
“No matter whether Jamie had fallen out with other people, there is absolutely no excuse for setting fire to their vehicle – the fire could have spread and affected neighbouring properties, putting completely unrelated members of the public in harm’s way.
“Jamie didn’t care about that – all that mattered to him was his blind rage. He obviously knew he had done wrong, which is why he did all he could to evade arrest until the police caught up with him.”
