A MAN has been fined for setting his girlfriend’s belongings on fire on top of a gas cooker.

Rory John Fahey placed his now former partner’s make-up bag and other items on the hob after a night out drinking.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday, January 3, how the 36-year-old turned the gas cooker on to warm himself up following an arguments at the victim’s property in Burnhope, near Stanley, on December 17.

Laura Lax, prosecuting, said after turning on the heat the defendant turned to some items including clothing, belonging to his ex-girlfriend, and put them on the flames.

She told the court when he noticed they were on fire he turned the hob off and put them in the sink.

Paul Donoghue, mitigating, said his client, who pleaded guilty to one count of arson, had too much to drink for “reasons he cannot explain”.

He said Fahey, of Derwent Rise, Stanley, received facial injuries in an assault earlier that evening, and was “highly intoxicated” when he arrived at his then girlfriend’s home.

The court heard he was ashamed of his actions and could not explain them.

Fahey, who has no previous convictions, was fined £400 and ordered to pay £250 compensation, £85 prosecution costs and a £40 victim surcharge.