Southampton arsonist torched ex's BMW in KFC car park at Thornhill

Scott Lanaghan, 33, unleashed his attack at the fast food chain where his girlfriend worked in Antelope Park, Thornhill.

Southampton Crown Court heard he had seen her by chance leaving her feeling - "panicked and anxious" - before returning hours later armed with a hammer and petrol.

Lanaghan smashed a window of her BMW 1 Series and threw in the lit Molotov cocktail before fleeing.

He was chased by two KFC workers who tried to stop him - but Lanaghan then turned on them threatening the pair with his hammer.

​READ MORE: Driver led police on 100mph chase through Southampton

Scott Lanaghan (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Lanaghan, of Magnolia Road, Southampton, was arrested later but told officers he had been staying at a family member's house that night.

But prosecutor Martyn Booth said his alibi was blown "completely out of the water," after his relative was phoned.

"This whole thing has been very unnerving," the victim said in a statement read out in court.

She has now changed her job as a result of the incident. 

Lanaghan had previously been prosecuted for an offence of domestic abuse against her, the court heard.

Mr Booth said there had been a "high degree of planning" and added: "This defendant has been planning it to the extent that he has obtained and used accelerant."

Lanaghan admitted arson, and two charges of threatening with an offensive weapon. 

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland told the defendant: "It was your intention then to cause very serious damage to her car. 

"It has all the hallmarks of a revenge attack."

Andrew Stone, mitigating, said his client has struggled with alcohol and that work is currently taking place to investigate if he has PTSD.

"(This is) a man who had a particularly difficult time in a number of respects growing up."

Lanaghan was jailed for two years. He was given a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for five years.

The incident took place on March 8 at around 8pm and resulted in the car being written off.