Shane McCarthy, 27, from Granby Grove, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, 29 April, having pleaded guilty to arson in February.

He was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison in relation to the incident, which happened on 8 January this year.

At 1.20am, we were called to a property in Granby Grove as the occupants believed someone was trying to break in to their house.

McCarthy gained entry through the kitchen window and the two men locked themselves into a bedroom, with McCarthy shouting outside.

Having failed to open the bedroom door, McCarthy stopped shouting and the two victims heard popping sounds before the fire alarm started going off.

As the two men left the house, they could see smoke filling the property and a smoky fire on top of the kitchen stove, but no sign of McCarthy.

Police arrived and McCarthy returned to the address, where he was arrested.

Due to the incident there was fire damage to the cooker and hob, as well as significant smoke damage to the ceilings.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “This incident left the victims in genuine fear for their lives and could quite easily have had tragic consequences.

By putting McCarthy behind bars, a dangerous individual has been taken off the streets and we hope this result reassures our communities that we will do all we can to get justice for victims of crime.

To report crime or intelligence to us, contact us on our website, via 101 or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.