A RISCA teenager was locked up for three years for torching his ex-girlfriend's home - causing £30,000 worth of damage.

Luke Davies, 19, was yesterday sentenced to three years detention in a young offenders' institution.

Davies was told by Judge Isabel Parry, sitting at Cardiff crown court, that "the jury was satisfied you did it to get back at her over the way the relationship had ended".

Davies, of Church Road, Risca, had previously been found guilty of a charge of arson.

Prosecutor Leigh Ingham said Davies started the fire at the flat of Tammy Williams in St Mary's Street, Risca, on June 21.

Fortunately she was out at the time, staying at the home of her sister. Davies had denied the charge and said the allegation was fabricated.

His counsel, Ieuan Morris, said Davies had been examined by psychiatrist and was not found to suffer from any mental illness.

Mr Morris said: "Basically he is a pleasant, co-operative young man. "He continues to vehemently deny being involved in the fire."

Davies has a future and wanted to start life all over again, added Mr Morris. He worked in his father's skip hire business.

"Unfortunately he went off the rails," Mr Morris said.

The judge told Davies that he had not pleaded guilty and therefore could not receive any credit.

The judge said: "You deliberately set fire to the flat you shared with your former girlfriend.

"In my judgement, taking into account everything, I have read about you and your background. I am satisfied the only appropriate sentence is custody."