An arsonist who blew up his ex-partner’s garden shed has been jailed.

Tyrone Ludlow was caught on camera walking towards his victim's address in Gravesend shortly before an explosion destroyed the rear of her property.

Ludlow, of Lane Avenue, Greenhithe, admitted charges of arson, assault, criminal damage and a breach of a non-molestation order relating to the same victim.

The pair had been in a relationship that had ended prior to an incident on Wednesday, January 19 where an argument broke out at the woman's house.

During the confrontation, Ludlow threw a mobile phone – narrowly missing her head and causing damage to a wall.

He then destroyed a television and ripped a kitchen cupboard door off its hinges, whilst also shouting abuse in the victim’s face.

She secured a non-molestation order against Ludlow following the incident, which he breached on two occasions in April by sending text messages to her.

On the evening of Saturday 16 April the victim was at home with her three children when she heard a loud explosion reported to have made the building shake. She then noticed flames coming from her garden shed which firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service came to extinguish.

Ludlow was arrested later that night and subsequently charged in relation to the offence.

He was sentenced to three years and two months at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday after admitting to the charges.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Brian Mitchell said: "Tyrone Ludlow is a dangerous individual who spared little thought for the safety of his victim, her three children or anyone else who lived nearby when he recklessly caused an explosion at her home.

"Offenders like him who have no self-control and put others at risk can have no complaints when they are sent to prison and have their freedom taken away from them.

"I hope Ludlow’s victim can take some comfort in the fact he is now behind bars where he can cause no further harm to her or any other women."