A FATHER from Park North has been jailed for three years after setting fire to cars parked close to where his children slept.

Eamonn Rogers was told at Swindon Crown Court that he will serve half the sentence for two counts of arson, which were committed in a driveway in Leighton Avenue, Park South, last October.

A jury had previously convicted Rogers for what defence counsel Robin Shellard admitted was "an unfortunate and drunken aberration".

The court heard that Rogers had split up from his wife and left the family home in late 2005, nearly a year before the arson took place.

After learning she had found a new boyfriend, Rogers had drunk heavily in a pub before going to a garage to buy some petrol.

Later that night he went to the home where his two children were sleeping and set fire to the cars parked next to it.

Fortunately, and, the court heard, in large part due to the bravery of leading fireman Philip Adams, no-one was seriously injured.

When he was arrested, Rogers was so drunk police had to take him to hospital and let him sleep for 12 hours before he could answer questions.

Mr Shellard said: "I accept, of course, it is an offence committed at night while Mrs Rogers and her children were asleep in the property. However, these were fires started not by pouring petrol on the house itself or even a shed attached to the house.

"Had he wanted to do that, it would have been done extremely easily."

Passing sentence, recorder Nigel Pascoe QC said: "You drank extremely heavily in a public house and there you brooded.

"In the early hours of the morning you went to a garage and bought petrol and some rags before going to your wife's home.

"There you set light to the vehicles, creating an obvious risk not just to the property but to their lives. Fortunately your family were able to get out into the garden and a leading fireman showed great bravery at the time.

"She was absolutely certain that you wouldn't have deliberately set out to hurt your children because you love them."

Since the arrest Rogers and his wife have reconciled.

But the judge said the case was serious and a clear message needed to be sent about Rogers' conduct.

"I sentence you to three years, of which you will serve half, with credit being given for the time you have already spent in prison," he said.

He also ordered that a £300 award be made to Mr Adams for his bravery.