**Wales Man Jailed for Arson After ‘Revenge’ Attack Recognised by Unusual Gait**
A Swansea man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after a court heard how he orchestrated a vengeful arson attack, setting a car ablaze in broad daylight following a simmering personal dispute. Strikingly, it was the man’s distinct method of walking that played a vital role in his identification and subsequent capture.
Jamie Kenneth Paton, aged 34, of Jeffreys Court, Penlan, appeared before Swansea Crown Court in connection with the deliberate torching of a vehicle, as well as further offences committed during his arrest. The court examined in detail an incident described by Judge Geraint Walters as both “outrageous” and indicative of a belief that the law did not apply to him.
The background to the incident, outlined by prosecutor Dean Pulling, involved a feud between Paton and a local family over an alleged physical confrontation. Tensions apparently reached breaking point when, on 10 November last year, Paton threatened two brothers by phone, explicitly warning one: “I will torch everything you have got.”
It was only a day later, around lunchtime, that one of the brothers received a phone call alerting him that his recently registered Peugeot had erupted into flames. The owner rushed to the scene in Penlan to find his car consumed by fire, while local firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Following the attack, South Wales Police were quickly summoned, launching an investigation that included an extensive review of local CCTV footage. Images surfaced of a man carrying a jerry can and approaching the vicinity where the car was parked. Additional information came from a council worker in Heol Cadifor, who reported seeing a man sprinting while carrying a fuel canist—testimony that would prove critical in the inquiry.
It was Paton’s highly individual walk that helped authorities pinpoint him as the suspect. Officers, acting on intelligence received, ultimately traced Paton to an address on Talley Road, Penlan, where he was apprehended on 20 December. However, the manner of his arrest was described as deeply troubling. While being transferred to a police van, Paton unleashed a torrent of abuse directed at the female officer who handcuffed him, including homophobic slurs referencing her appearance.
The confrontation escalated inside the police van, with Paton repeatedly spitting on the interior and goading the officer with vile remarks. This behaviour resulted in further charges for criminal damage and public order offences, in addition to his core charge of arson.
Presenting his defence, Andrew Evans noted that Paton had accepted responsibility for his actions in a written letter to the court, admitting the car fire was motivated by a desire for revenge over a perceived slight by the targeted family. Evans described his client as a self-employed groundworker who maintains regular contact with his children from a previous relationship, painting a portrait at odds with the day’s events.
The defendant’s previous record did little to curry favour with the court. Paton has accumulated 12 prior convictions relating to 24 incidents, spanning public disorder, drug-related offences, fraud, and property damage.
In sentencing, Judge Walters condemned Paton’s actions in both the attack and his treatment of police officers. Emphasising the need to protect the community from such reckless behaviour, Walters imposed a total sentence of 25 months—22 months for the arson and three months consecutively for his actions during arrest. As is standard in British law, Paton will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence under supervision.
The incident has reignited concerns locally about antisocial behaviour and respect for the law, especially in residential neighbourhoods. While justice has been served in this case, questions linger about the broader causes of such violent escalations and the measures needed to prevent similar future occurrences.
As Paton begins his prison term, residents of Penlan hope this sentence will serve as a warning to others who might consider taking the law into their own hands. The swift work of law enforcement—and the unexpected aid of a distinctive walking style—have ensured a clear message is sent: such acts will not go unpunished.