EDMONTON - An Edmonton man busted for torching his former flame's SUV after driving drunk from the scene and just missing a police car before smashing into a tree is off to jail.

Anthony Zaozirny, 42, was sentenced Friday to 10 months behind bars, followed by two years' probation, after earlier pleading guilty to arson, impaired driving and two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Court has heard the bizarre incident stemmed from the oilfield worker becoming upset when his ex-girlfriend became pregnant after their romance ended, and she ignored his attempts to get her to submit to DNA testing so he could find out whether he was the father.

Judge Donna Valgardson noted the relationship had alternated between "reconciliation and revenge" and told Zaozirny to listen when people give him good advice.

"That is forget it and move on," said Valgardson.

Zaozirny was fined $2,000 and banned from driving for 18 months on the impaired conviction. He was ordered to submit a DNA sample for the national DNA databank.

As well, he must pay $4,300 in restitution. While on probation, Zaozirny must take counselling for alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

Court heard Zaozirny had a brief romantic liaison with Bernadette Andrejiw in 2008. The pair had earlier been friends and acquaintances for a number of years.

Their romance ended in July 2008. Zaozirny later learned Andrejiw was pregnant, and he repeatedly tried to contact her to get her to submit to DNA testing.

On March 15, 2009, Zaozirny went to a bar across the street from where he knew she lived and was getting drunk when he saw her pull up in a Ford Explorer.

Court heard Zaozirny smashed a large hole in the SUV's windshield, poured about five litres of gas inside the vehicle and tossed in a match. The SUV was "completely destroyed" and a nearby pickup was also damaged.

As cop cars headed to the scene, Zaozirny was observed making an unsafe turn in front of one cruiser, narrowly missing it, and then crashing into a tree.

An officer pulled over to investigate and quickly realized Zaozirny had been drinking. The officer also smelled gasoline and found a half-empty gas container and a book of matches in the pickup.

At that point, Zaozirny gave a full confession of what he had done and was arrested and charged, court heard.

The oilfield worker was eventually released on his own recognizance with a condition to not contact Andrejiw.

However, Zaozirny repeatedly called the home where Andrejiw was living with Aaron Beattie and threatened to "bury the two of them" and to "rip Mr. Beattie's head off."

Before being sentenced, Zaozirny apologized.

"I totally regret what I did. It was a poor judgment call and alcohol was definitely a factor," said Zaozirny.

tony.blais@sunmedia.ca