A car hire firm worker dropped a lit cigarette through the letterbox of the Huddersfield home of a client who failed to return his vehicle.
Hashim Ashraf, 20, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.
He did not face a more serious charge as there was no evidence that he intended to set fire to the Crosland Moor property.
Kirklees magistrates heard that on March 25 Ashraf went to the house on Ellison Street.
He knocked on the door and window but there was no reply and he lit up a cigarette.
Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said: “He took a drag of the cigarette and posted it through the letterbox. There was a smell of smoke but no damage to the furnishings.”
The incident was captured on CCTV and Ashraf was arrested after being forensically linked to the cigarette.
Mr Bozman added: “Pre-charge advice has been considered because of the peculiar circumstances of the offence. There was no evidence that Mr Ashraf intended to set fire to the house, there were no specific threats so this has been charged as a public order matter”.
Ashraf, of Morville Road in Manchester, said that a member of the family had hired a car off him.
He told magistrates that after a week he failed to return it and he discovered that the vehicle had been sold to a gang and stripped with the parts sold.
Ashraf said: “I came down to Huddersfield to speak with him, I rang the bell and the mother was trying to hide. In frustration and anger I posted the cigarette.
“That car has made a big impact (as) it’s left me unemployed.”
Magistrates gave Ashraf a conditional discharge for 12 months.
He must still pay £45 costs and £15 victim surcharge.
