A 27-YEAR-OLD Wirral man who set fire to his uncle is beginning a two-and-a-half year jail sentence.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Allen Upton was "a decent lad" but he and his uncle were better apart when drinking.

Upton has only two previous convictions - both for wounding the same uncle, Arthur Hulse.

In the latest incident he set fire to his uncle's clothing from behind during an argument while at his victim's Birkenhead flat.

Mr Hulse, 55, did not realise how badly he had been burnt until four days later when he went to Arrowe Park Hospital because the pain had become unbearable.

After initial treatment he was sent to Whiston Hospital burns unit where he later spent ten days after a skin graft operation on his back.

Mr Andrew Loveridge, prosecuting, said that Mr Hulse still feels a stinging sensation in the area if he sits for a while.

Upton, of Mitchell Court, The Woodlands, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty to inflicting grevious bodily harm.

Jailing him, Judge Denis Clark said that he had been placed on probation for the two earlier offences and this latest incident happened while he was still on probation.

"I have to reflect society's revulsion that you took a lighted match and set fire to a human being's clothing."

He added that he accepted that Upton had suffered tragedies in his life and the problems arose after he drank too much while out with his uncle.

Defence counsel Mr Michael Abelson said that Upton has now got his life on an even keel.

"He is a decent lad who has had a lot of problems in his life. He and his uncle must stay well apart when out drinking," he added.

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