SEEKING revenge on a woman who allegedly cheated on his friend with his friend's brother a man destroyed her car by setting it on fire, only to now find himself behind bars.

27-year-old Andrew Wilson previously pleaded guilty to the offence dating from December to 10 of last year.

Yesterday, the Upham Road resident came before magistrates sitting in Swindon to be sentenced for the offence.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that the victim had parked her silver Peugeot 206 at Cavendish Square overnight from December 9 into the following morning. Later she heard a loud explosion and saw a large plume of smoke.

"In interview the defendant said he had got wasted and decided to cause the damage to the car," said Mr Ballinger. "He has known her for six years as friends. He said she had cheated on his friend with his friend's brother."

Getting drunk on vodka and cider that night, as well as smoking a small amount of cannabis, he decided to carry out revenge on his friend's behalf.

He slashed the vehicles tyres before smashing a window and setting it alight which completely destroyed the vehicle.

Defending him in court, Mark Glendenning told the magistrates it was a "bizarre offence".

He said: "His friend might have been aggrieved that she had had romantic liaisons elsewhere but they were not directly linked to him. But while under the influence of alcohol he got it into his head that he would take revenge on behalf of his friend."

Magistrates decided the offence was so serious they were unable to suspend sentence. He was jailed for 26 weeks and ordered to pay compensation of £270 along with a victim surcharge of £80.