A PENSIONER shoved burning paper through the letterbox of the home he shared with his daughter when she locked him out after a row.

A court heard how a fire investigator said the woman was lucky to get out alive after the uPVC door took the brunt of the blaze and created choking smoke.

Ian Gordon, 73, and his daughter, 52, had lived at the three-bed terraced house in Piperknowle Road, Stockton, for more than a decade before the August incident.

They both drank heavily, and had been having "a fair amount of wine and whisky" before they fell out about something and widower Gordon left the house.

Jailing him for two years at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Stephen Ashurst told him: "What you then did, as you appreciate now after having been sober for some time while in Durham Prison on remand, was exceptionally stupid and dangerous.

"Your daughter didn't want you back in the house. It was a nice summer's evening, and she wanted you to calm down. She had locked the door and bolted the gate, so you could not get back in.

"It is quite clear you didn't think through what might have happened, and the fire officer says your daughter was very lucky to get out of the house alive.

"She was aware of the smoke, raised the alarm, and fortunately neighbours realised the house was on fire.

"You know it is not just the fire, it is the smoke that can make a real differences to whether someone lives or dies.

"Having lost your wife recently, you have now lost your daughter. She is trying to start afresh and wants nothing to do with you."

Gordon admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and was jailed for two years, and given a five-year restraining order to stay away from his daughter.

His lawyer, Ben Pegman, said: "There was no planning. It was an impulsive act.

"He responded to a situation in which he was locked out of the property in a most ridiculous way, and he is remorseful for that."