A JEALOUS man who launched a drunken attack on his ex-girlfriend's flat during a rage has escaped a jail term.

Darren Rogers had spent 11 hours in the pub before he put flammable liquid into a bottle.

The 32-year-old had been in a relationship with Helen Wright for six years and they had a three year old son, Swindon crown court heard.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said they had been living with his parents but split when a council home became available.

Rogers' father had become ill and he wanted to stay to help look after him while Miss Wright wanted a place of their own.

"That led to a split in the relationship," he said.

He said on one evening in August last year both were in a local pub separately and had a less than amicable conversation.

As Rogers left he told a barman he was going to burn Miss Wright's flat down

The following morning Rogers was heard outside her flat in Wootton Bassett.

One of their mutual friends, who was in the flat, went to the window and found Rogers trying to get in.

As the friend pushed him back Rogers threw some petrol at him.

Mr Shellard said "Rogers was holding a lighter in his hand and he said 'Don't stop me.'"

Miss Wright then checked her mobile phone and found Rogers had sent her a text message saying 'Die bitch.'

Rogers, of Queens Road, Wootton Bassett, admitted placing an article with intent for others to believe it would combust.

Jim Bennett, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and was very sorry.

He said the break-up had hit Rogers hard and since his arrest he had not seen his former partner or his son.

Passing sentence Recorder Michael Tennant said "What you did is certainly conduct that would justify a custodial sentence.

"What you did clearly was very frightening to those who were affected by it."

Ordering him to do 240 hours community service he said that if he failed on the order then a prison term was likely.