A TEENAGER who was part of a gang that threw a firework into a man's home in a prank which turned to tragedy, was locked up for two-and-a-half years yesterday.

Arthur Lonsdale, 52, was overcome by smoke and fumes after a rocket was pushed through the cat flap at his home in Witherwack, Sunderland, last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the estate had been "awash" with the dangerous rockets, which were being sold illegally to youths in the area.

When firefighters reached the blaze, at the divorcee's end terrace home inWesterham Close, the property was engulfed in flames.

Mr Lonsdale, a former locksmith who had two children, was still breathing when help arrived, but died in hospital two days later from the effects of acute smoke inhalation.

Yesterday, the 16-year-old, who admitted manslaughter at a hearing in July, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' detention.

The youth cannot be named for legal reasons.

The court heard that he told friends after the tragedy: "We didn't mean it. It was only a little joke.

"I can't understand how it's done that much damage."

Defence barrister Paul Sloan QC told the court how the teeenager's family were devastated that he was the only one brought to justice over the killing.

Mr Sloan said: "His family find it difficult that he is the only one prepared to accept responsibility at the outset and is the only one who is facing sentence for what occurred that particular night. Notwithstanding, he was not the prime mover, he was not the principal party and several others were involved."

The court heard how youths had been congregating in the area in the weeks leading up to Guy Fawkes night. It was common place to see rockets being set off in the street.

The firework which was thrown into Mr Lonsdale's home and lodged beneath his fridge-freezer setting nearby newspapers alight.

Devastating damage was caused to the property where Mr Lonsdale had set up a cat sanctuary. All of his pets perished in the blaze.

A number of other youths who were believed to have been present were questioned after the fire, but there was no evidence found to link them to the incident.

At yesterday's sentencing hearing, Judge David Hodson said he accepted there was no evidence of the defendant being involved with fireworks in the past, but said those responsible for selling fireworks to underage customers must live with the death on their conscience.

Judge Hodson told the youth: "You were part of a group that fired this rocket through the cat flap. As a result there was a fire and as a consequence of that fire Mr Lonsdale died."