A man torched his girlfriend’s lease car following a row.

Blackburn magistrates heard the £15,000 vehicle was a write off as a result of the blaze.

The court was told Robert Wallace had sent his girlfriend a text message saying he was going to set the car on fire.

Wallace, 33, of Sandhurst Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to arson. He was committed on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said CCTV showed Wallace leaving his flat in the early hours of the morning and returning a few minutes later.

“The fire was started in that time frame,” said Mr Parker. “You can infer from the level of damage that some accelerant was used to set the fire.”

Mark Williams, defending, said Wallace had argued with his girlfriend and she had left.

“In a fit of temper he went outside and damaged the car,” said Mr Williams. “He says he smashed a window, set fire to a bed sheet, threw it into the car and walked back to his apartment.”

He said the girlfriend had not supported the prosecution and had not made a statement.

“She doesn’t seem too bothered about it, probably because it wasn’t her car,” said Mr Williams.