TWO men who petrol-bombed a van in a row over a debt have been spared jail by a judge.

Teesside Crown Court was told that the pair attacked the van outside a house in Eden Way, Billingham.

Craig Robson, 22, and Colin Midgley, 28, told police that they had been drinking heavily at a party when they decided to go to the house in the early hours to recover a £300 debt which Midgley claimed he had been owed for months.

Midgley had sold a car to Christopher Downs, and his stepfather, Richard Moss, 44, was woken by banging on the front door, said Stephen Duffield, prosecuting.

There was an altercation between him and the two men, and Robson stepped inside the front door and grabbed Mr Moss by the throat.

Robson punched him on the left side of his face but Mr Moss was able to push them both outside.

Mr Moss punched them both, and Robson said to him: "I know people, they'll come back and burn your house down."

Mr Moss was still up at 4.45am when he was told that his van outside was on fire. The remains of a petrol bomb were found and a lighter was recovered from the driveway.

Robson, of Mond Crescent, Billingham, who admitted arson and assaulting Mr Moss, was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months with supervision, and was ordered to pay £750 compensation.

Midgley, formerly of Rudston Avenue, Billingham, now of Corby, Northamptonshire, admitted arson and was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months with supervision. He was told to pay £500 compensation.