A man who set fire to the entrance of a flat has been jailed for more than four years.

Samuel Dolan, 25, of Northam Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to arson with intent/being reckless to endanger the life of another and threats to damage/destroy property of another.

He appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday, October 27, and was given 51 months in jail.

At around 2am on July 25, Dolan, who was known to the occupants, set fire to the front door of a first-floor flat in Castle Street in Salisbury.

The occupants woke to the smell of thick black smoke, and when they went to leave the property, they found the only way in and out was on fire and had to scream for help from their first floor window. 

They managed to escape to safety via ladders. 

Detective Constable Jeremy Horner said: “Dolan’s actions caused a significant amount of damage to the address and put the lives of those living inside the flat in great danger, leaving them with no way out of the address other than via the window.

"It was fortunate that members of the public were in the vicinity and able to assist in rescuing the two occupants quickly and safely. “I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been passed which reflects the seriousness of Dolan’s behaviour.”