A MAN has been sentenced to seven years in prison for starting a house fire in which his girlfriend died.

A jury found James Larkin, 33, guilty of the manslaughter of Anita Harris, 39, and arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, in June.

But it has taken more than four months for him to be sentenced after delays in preparing psychiatric reports on him.

Larkin, who denied both charges, started the fire by wrapping himself in a duvet and setting light to it after an argument with Miss Harris in which she threatened to leave.

Sentencing him, Judge Neil Ford QC, said: “Contesting the case as you did, in the face of very powerful evidence, you failed to accept responsibility for what you had done.

“Whilst I’m in no doubt that you miss Anita Harris greatly you have shown no remorse for your selfish, self pitying, attention seeking and irresponsible behaviour.”

Larkin and Miss Harris, who both had a drink problem, had been out drinking on September 22 last year and had returned to his flat in Frampton Close, Eastleaze, with another friend Julie Roberts, 43.

The couple had an argument and Larkin told Miss Harris to leave but then changed his mind and begged her to stay.

In what judge Ford described as ‘undoubtably attention-seeking behaviour’ he set light to some clothes on a radiator but the fire didn’t take hold.

He then went into the bedroom where Miss Harris was packing, wrapped himself in the duvet and set light to it as she was leaving.

The fire spread quickly and the room was filled with toxic fumes and smoke and Larkin, who it is estimated was between three and four times over the drink drive limit at the time, called out to her.

The chilling recording of the 999 call Miss Roberts made on that night was played to the jury during the trial.

She can be heard shouting at Miss Harris not to run back into the flat, but she did, possibly to try and save Larkin.

Miss Harris was quickly overcome by the fumes and died at the scene but Larkin managed to escape.

When interviewed by police he tried to deny the fire was his fault, blaming Miss Roberts instead.

Judge Ford acknowledged that Larkin had had a difficult upbringing, had not acted out of malice and did not present a significant danger to the public.

He sentenced him to seven years for each offence, to be served concurrently.

He also praised the actions of PC Chris Hemns and Special Constable Denise Williams for their bravery.

The two officers were the first on the scene and had tried to get into the building and save Miss Harris but were beaten back by the smoke and flames.

Outside court, Miss Roberts said: “Justice has been served to a degree but it won’t bring my friend back.

“I still say he should have had longer but I have got to move on from this, although I don’t think I ever will.”

Detective Inspector Matt Davey of Wiltshire Police, said: “The actions of James Larkin on September 22 were directly responsible for the death of Anita Harris and additionally threatened the lives of neighbours and the lives of the emergency service personnel who responded to the incident.

“The sentence of the court did clearly show the severity with which the judge considered James Larkin’s behaviour and the lengthy term of imprisonment imposed is more than justified.”