Arsonist killed ex’s pet guinea pig in blaze which caused £180k worth of damage

A dumped electrician killed his ex-girlfriend's guinea pig in a fire that caused £180,000 worth of damage.

David Ellis told his former partner "if I can't have you, no one can" before setting her home ablaze.

The 41-year-old has been jailed for four years with an extra three years on extended licence., as well as being handed an indefinite restraining order.

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As well as incinerating the family pet, Ellis destroyed Christmas presents and left the house almost uninhabitable.

Exeter Crown Court head that his victim has since been left “petrified” and was forced to accept donations following the arson.

Ellis, from Lichfield, had caused the mum “trauma” with the killing of her pet, Birmingham Live reports.

He has since been branded “dangerous” and a possible risk to future girlfriends.

The court heard Ellis made threats to kill the woman and burn her house down during the pair's on-off relationship. He would also pester her about who she was talking to.

On one occasion, he barged into the woman's home while he was drunk and became abusive.

He punched a wall, damaged a television and dragged her by the hair on November 26 last year, prosecutor Mary McCarthy said.

She threatened to call police so Ellis left but he took a jerry can with him. He was heard saying "'I'll be f*****g taking this with me. If I can't have you no one will".

While in a police cell, he set a blanket and flip flops alight with a lighter he took into custody with him. He was then released on bail.

He ignored bail conditions and went to his victim's home in Foxhole Road, Paignton, the next morning. Ellis smashed a window before setting fire to a pram in a bedroom.

Insurers say the cost of the damage to the house – which was empty at the time – was about £180,000.

He was spotted by a neighbour climbing out of a window at the semi-detached property moments after starting the blaze.

The defendant was arrested at a Premier Inn and seen wiping faeces on his hand in an attempt to rid himself of fire-lighting evidence while in a police cell.

The court heard how the victim was in shock following the defendant's offending and her mental health had been impacted.

The victim has since suffered night terrors and is petrified Ellis will return once released from jail, Ms McCarthy said.

The victim said: "I've lost absolutely everything. All the Christmas presents were in the house and my [newborn] baby couldn't come home."

The court heard Ellis had previous convictions for violence and stalking a different ex-partner.

Sentencing, Judge David Evans said Ellis was a danger to the public – particularly his partners.

The judge accepted Ellis was reckless and not trying to kill anyone but said his actions were targeted at causing psychological harm to his partner.

He said: "This is offending of domestic abuse. It's quite clearly an attack on your partner's home intended to be, in your mind, a form of punishment."

Ellis admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, criminal damage and common assault.

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