Darwin ATM arsonist sentenced to two years jail

A Darwin man who attempted to blast open an ATM but only managed to blow his thongs off his feet has been jailed for two years.

Dylan Lewers, 29, pleaded guilty to arson after he used a gas cylinder to attempt to break into the cash machine late last year, the ABC reports.

CCTV footage shows Lewers being knocked off his feet in the ill-fated attempt and walk away holding only his thongs.

He handed himself in to police five weeks later and was today sentenced to two years jail, suspended after eight months.

Chief Justice Trevor Riley said Lewers had "no real idea how much damage" the blast would have caused to the building or to anyone inside.

"The outcome could have been more serious if someone was present," he said.

"(The device) was extremely dangerous."