A MAN who piled his mother-in-law’s belongings on a bed and set light to them while she was at a funeral, causing nearly �5,000 damage to her bungalow, has been jailed for three years.

Frank Brinkley had accused 61-year-old Susan Fuller of being an “interfering bitch” who always had it in for him, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

In December last year, while Mrs Fuller was at a funeral, Brinkley had broken into her rented bungalow in a retirement complex in Peddar’s Way, Ixworth, and set light to a pile of belongings he had stacked on her bed, Patricia Doggett, prosecuting, said.

Damage valued at �4,941 was caused to the bungalow and a further �1,570 damage was caused to Mrs Fuller’s possessions, including a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, curtains, carpets and some other items which had sentimental value, Miss Doggett said.

Brinkley, 44, of Enfield, admitted arson on December 12/13 last year.

Jailing him, Judge John Devaux said he had caused significant damage to the bungalow and Mrs Fuller’s possessions and described the arson as a “revenge attack”. “You had described her as an interfering bitch who always had it in for you,” the judge said. Miss Doggett said Brinkley had been in a relationship with Mrs Fuller’s daughter, Laura Rowell, but at the time of the arson they were estranged.

Brinkley had come to Suffolk after persuading a previous partner to drive him from London to Potters Bar and later the same night he had contacted the woman again and asked her to collect him from Bury St Edmunds.

Miss Doggett said Brinkley told the woman he had broken into his mother-in-law’s bungalow intending to steal money and had set fire to the premises to destroy his DNA. He said he had got Mrs Fuller’s address after going through Laura Rowell’s suitcase.

Colin Allen, for Brinkley, said his client had problems in personal relationships and resorted to violence when he lost his temper. “He needs to be taught how to behave,” Mr Allen said.

jane.hunt@eadt.co.uk