AN arsonist has been jailed for trying to set fire to a pub in West Hendon after being kicked out by the landlord.

Ryan Brough, from Worcestershire, had been drinking in O'Hanlon's, in West Hendon Broadway during his grandfather's wake on July 24.

Officers went to the scene at about 12.37am after reports of a deliberate fire being sparked in the back of the pub courtyard.

Brough, 24, was seen trying to get into the premises after being ejected for being drunk and the landlord had refused to serve him more alcohol.

Police said he had been “drinking heavily” and kicked over a table as he was escorted out of the pub.

CCTV then shows Brough going to the rear of the premises, stuffing a black bag with paper and setting it alight at the back door. He walked off without attempting to put the flames out.

Another customer who went outside for a cigarette spotted the small blaze and alerted police.

Wood Green Crown Court heard there were people inside the pub at the time of the fire, but the flames caused no lasting damage to the property.

Brough said in interview that he did not remember anything of the evening due to his “high alcohol consumption” but accepted what he had done after seeing the CCTV footage and subsequently pleaded guilty.

He was jailed on Friday for 16 months in prison on the charge of arson while being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

Detective Constable Geoff Davies, the officer in charge of the case said: "Mr Brough's action thankfully did not cause any lasting harm, but the situation could have clearly been much worse as with any case involving fire.

"The fact that he was drunk at the time and admitted that he often gets into trouble when drunk did nothing to help his case in the eyes of the judge, and as such he got a sentence of some considerable length imprisonment."