The pavilion was destroyed in the blaze which was started by Laine Henry, from Stanford-le-Hope, on January 3, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

On the same evening, the 35-year-old had also tried to break into the pool house of a neighbouring property to the pavilion, which was in the garden of a house in Ferry Road, Burnham, by throwing plant pots at windows, said Mark Halsey, prosecuting.

When Henry was arrested he was found in possession of alcohol, a lighter and a pocketknife.

Henry, of St Andrews Way, Stanford-le-Hope, admitted arson, attempted burglary, damaging glass panes of the pool house and possession of a pocket knife.

He was jailed for 49 months with a four-year extended licence period and banned from contacting the victims of the arson and attempted burglary.

Judge Martyn Levett said Henry had been assessed by the probation service as representing a danger to the public by the commission of further serious offences in the future.

He said Henry would have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence before the parole board could consider if it was safe to release him.

Simon Connolly for Henry said his client had been in custody for nine months and had committed the arson on impulse.

He said Henry, who has convictions for attempted theft had been looking for something to steal.

Mr Connolly said the pavilion was separate from the main house and there was no evidence that lives had been put at risk.

Henry, who appeared at the sentencing hearing via a prison video link told the court that he had “fallen off the wagon” on the night of the arson attack and was keen to get help for his problems.

He said he had been in work and an upstanding member of society and a hard worker until he was made homeless.