A PRISONER who was smoking a 'Mamba spliff' will spend even longer behind bars after setting fire to his own cell.

Jamie Poultney, who has convictions for robbery and wounding, was jailed for 25 months for the arson at his cell in HMP Hewell.

The 35-year-old appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday following the arson being reckless as to whether life was in danger on March 3 last year. The damage to the double occupancy cell was placed at £2,500.

Will Dudley, prosecuting, said the source of the fire had been 'a collection of various items at the foot of the defendant's bed' including paper, toilet roll and a prison issue sweatshirt.

He explained that there was 'no obvious source of ignition within the cell' and 'nothing that would explain it as an accidental fire'.

"It was identified that the most likely source was a modified vape device," he said. However, fire investigators could not rule out a cigarette being the source.

A fire expert said fires in cells could draw in air through cracks in doors and windows 'having an effect almost akin to a wood burning stove to build and generate heat' and there was a risk to adjoining cells.

"That gives the opportunity for a cell fire to spread almost without being visible as it moves within the fabric of the building. Within nine to 11 minutes they can become unsurvivably dangerous," he said.

The defendant said he had acquired a cigarette and had fallen asleep and 'knew nothing about it' said Mr Dudley.

"The Crown say there is a significant risk of serious physical harm because of the nature and the number of people and the circumstances in which it would have been very difficult, had it been necessary, to evacuate an entire wing quickly and safely," said Mr Dudley.

Poultney had no previous convictions for arson. The court heard the defendant had previous convictions for 'serious offences' including section 20 wounding in 2010 and robbery in 2016 which saw him sentenced to five years. In 2017 he received a 16 month prison term for possession of a prohibited weapon while in prison.

Mr Dudley argued that these previous convictions were aggravating features of the case and that it was an offence 'committed under the influence of drugs'. Prison officers and other prisoners had also been placed in danger said Mr Dudley.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright jailed Poultney for 25 months.