An estranged father angry after being denied access to his new-born son tried to set light to a van close to where a family slept, a court heard.

The 18-year-old was so upset he had been banned from his lover’s family home in Broadstairs he decided to take revenge.

As the family of Louise Todd celebrated the birth, Elvidge donned camouflage overalls and a balaclava and armed himself with a bottle full of petrol.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how he then targeted the parents’ van which was parked just feet away from houses in Ramsgate.

“Frustrated that you were not being afforded access to your newly born son and in what amounted effectively to a revenge attack, you went to their home" - Judge Simon James

Elvidge, of South Eastern Road, was found guilty of attempted reckless arson – although the Crown Prosecution Service later admitted it had blundered in not charging him with the more serious charge of endangering life.

He had denied that charge but had admitted two assaults on Ms Todd while she was pregnant, and another on her father, Mark Todd.

He also admitted two charges of damaging a letterbox and security cameras.

Judge Simon James sent him to a Young Offenders’ Institute for three and a half years after hearing how he had been banned from going to the Todd home because of harassing his lover.

The court heard how Elvidge twice assaulted his pregnant partner, who is 18, in December last year and January this year.

The judge said: “Frustrated that you were not being afforded access to your newly born son and in what amounted effectively to a revenge attack, you went to their home.

“You dismantled a CCTV camera and then proceeded to pour petrol over you the van, which was parked to the family home where people, including children, were asleep.”

The jury heard that as he tried to ignite the fuel with a lighter he was disturbed by a neighbour who prevented him fleeing the scene.

The judge later praised the neighbour, Mr Smith “for his admirable restraint”.

The judge added: “Had you set fire to the van the consequences could have been catastrophic. It seems to me that had you lit the petrol, this would have been an act which would have put not just property but lives in danger.

“Although no serious harm was caused that appears more to ineptitude than anything else.

“You are extremely lucky not to have been charged with a more serious charge. This was planned and born out of malice to the Todd family.

“People are entitled to feel safe in their beds and your conduct caused very real fear not only to the Todd family but also to their immediate neighbours.

“You have shown no remorse but instead shamelessly sought to blame someone else for your offence, “ he added.

The judge gave him a three year sentence for the attempted arson and ordered the six months for the assaults be served consecutively.

Other sentences for the third assault and two criminal damages were ordered to run concurrently.

He added: “Whilst it is easy to understand the frustration of a young man who is not allowed to see his new born son, you only have yourself to blame and there can be no excuse for taking matters into your own hands.”