An arsonist who torched his former wife’s hair salon in East Cambridgeshire has been jailed.

Martin Pearson set fire to the building in Stetchworth Road, Woodditton, at 7.20pm on May 15.

The 55-year-old had set a barbecue gas cannister alight after being seen walking near the salon angrily just before the fire.  

Pearson’s relationship with his wife ended in February.

He had also carried out criminal damage multiple times in April which included damaging the salon. 

In total, Pearson caused more than £35,000-worth of damage to the salon.

At Huntingdon Law Courts, Pearson, of Norwich, was jailed for two years and eight months having pleaded guilty to arson and criminal damage, for which he received no separate penalty. 

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228 and handed a five-year restraining order against the victim.

DC Fraser Wilson-Dykes said: “This has been nasty ordeal for the victim who has seen her business severely damaged by an act of malice and spite.

“Pearson’s behaviour has caused much harm to her and her family so I am pleased he’s been jailed and handed the restraining order.”