A MAN who set fire to his sister’s bridesmaids’ dresses after a row has been jailed for three years.

Liverpool Crown Court Judge Norman Wright said that Sean Thompson’s “selfish spiteful act” had potentially put the lives of others at risk.

He said that fortunately no one was hurt and it was a “minor miracle” that the damage caused was just under £2,000.

Thompson, 26, from Padeswood Close in Sutton, had pleaded guilty to arson.

Prosecutor Paul Treble told the court that Thompson was staying in the spare room of the family home on Padeswood Close on May 14 and following an argument with his sister he set fire to the dresses.

He shut the wardrobe door before closing the door and leaving. His mother rang the fire brigade after discovering the blaze.

The room was badly burned and there was smoke damage to the rest of the house.

Despite the dresses being destroyed Thompson’s sister went ahead with her marriage two weeks later and his family continue to support him.

Judge Wright said: “You clearly had too much to drink and because of a dispute with your sister you went up to the spare room you were allowed to stay in and in the wardrobe where her bridesmaids’ dresses were stored you set fire to them, closed the door and left the fire to take its effect.

“This is an extremely serious offence and calls for a substantial custodial sentence.”

Michael Hagerty defending said that Thompson had been dependent on alcohol for a long time and he also had problems with drugs. He has never committed a similar offence and is remorseful.

Mr Hagerty added: “He did not intend to endanger life and did not think through the consequences of his actions.”