AN ANDOVER man who set fire to the home he shared with his partner after accusing her of cheating on him has been jailed for 18 months.

In a drunken rage Mwamba Munkonge, 30, accused his then girlfriend of cheating on him, before dragging her out of bed and setting fire to the home.

Munkonge had started four fires at the property, with firefighters called to the scene to stop the flames from spreading further.

On Monday, December 5, Munkonge appeared at Winchester Crown Court to be sentenced. He previously pleaded guilty to arson and assault by beating.

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Prosecuting Jane Terry said: "Mr Munkonge asked her to drive him into town but she felt unwell.

"He returned to the address sometime later that evening and shouted and accused her of cheating on him."

The court heard how Munkonge, of Alder Road, "dragged her out of bed" and assaulted his ex-partner before setting fire to the home she owned.

Ms Terry continued: "She decided to leave the address and he threatened to burn the house down."

Four separate fires had been started inside the property, two downstairs and two upstairs. There were flames at the top of the stairs and the bedroom was well alight.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called to the incident and described entering the building and seeing a "severe fire".

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In mitigation, Richard Martin told the court that Munkonge had "possible schizophrenia" and that it was likely a "mental health episode".

Sentencing Munkonge, the Recorder of Winchester Judge Angela Morris said: “She had asked you to leave your home which she shared with you at that time.

“On the evening of January 28 you went out drinking and when returned you accused her of cheating on you.

"You assaulted her and grabbed her out of bed."

The judge continued: "You made threats that you would burn the house down.

"The fire service had to go in wearing breathing apparatus. There was concern at the time from police about your mental health and it is now apparent you may have been in a psychotic state."

Munkonge was jailed for 18 months but he has been in custody since the incident and the judge deemed that he was eligible for release due to the time he had already served.