A 29-year-old man who threatened to burn down a woman’s home with three children inside has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Daniel Hamilton-Harris, of Douglas Road, Herne Bay, turned up with two other men at victim Karen Turner’s front door, carrying a can of petrol and a lighter.

The incident, in September 2006, came at the end of a dispute over a £600 debt the victim’s husband Dean Turner owed Hamilton-Harris for a car.

Canterbury Crown Court heard Mr and Mrs Turner had received a series of nasty calls from Hamilton-Harris during the day and at 6.30pm, Mrs Turner opened her door to see three men including Hamilton-Harris.

He said: “I will burn your house down with your kids in it.”

Mrs Turner saw he had a green jerry can with the lid off in his left hand, and could smell petrol. He had a lighter in his right hand.

She shut the door, fearing they would come bursting in, and called her parents who called the police.

The court heard through a victim impact statement read out that Mrs Turner had been so frightened she couldn’t speak, and had subsequently been prescribed anti-depressants, had begun drinking and has not been into Herne Bay since.

Alex Rooke, for Hamilton-Harris, said the incident had a “vexed personal history” and Hamilton-Harris had taken a tumble financially.

He said the accused had received a call from Mr Turner telling him to “back off” or his house would be burnt.

Mr Rooke said: “It was as a result of that, he turned up at the Turner house.

“It was not his intention that she should truly believe her house would be burnt down.”

Hamilton-Harris admitted a public order offence, and was sentenced to five months, suspended for two years with 12 months supervision.

He is also banned from having any future contact with Dean or Karen Turner.