Hollely (25), of Northwood Avenue, was convicted at an earlier hearing in August of starting a blaze at the Oval pub, on the Carsic estate, and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

He was given five years for arson as well as 18 months for blackmail and 12 months for causing actual bodily harm to run consecutively, which he had previously admitted.

The court was told that on 3rd January, Hollely –– who was under the influence of drink and drugs –– had visited a hairdressers' shop at the Oval and threatened the owner, saying he had organised a protection racket and the owner must pay £50 a week to ensure his shop did not get vandalised.

When Hollely left the shop, he went to the Oval pub –– which had closed on New Year's Eve 2007 –– and set it alight after climbing onto a flat roof and through a bathroom window.

He then left the scene and attacked a milkman –– punching him in the face before pushing him to the ground and kicking him, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

Hollely, who has a been convicted of a string of offences dating back to 1997, admitted that he had a drink problem and in mitigation his barrister Richard Thatcher said: "He has been in custody since January and this has had the effect of completely drying him out.

"There is every prospect that he has completely conquered his addiction to drink."

But in sentencing him, Judge Tony Mitchell said: "There is no doubt in my mind that when you are on drink or drugs you present a significant risk of harm to the public."

The 242 days Hollely has spent in custody will be taken off his sentence.