WATERLOO -- A Waterloo man tried unsuccessfully to get a new trial for charges he set fire to his ex-girlfriend's house.

After Judge Bradley Harris turned down Kelvin Lynell Scott's request to retry the case Wednesday, he sentenced Scott to 10 years in prison for his second-degree arson conviction.

Authorities said Scott, 44, phoned Gina Siglin while she was at a tavern and threatened her and then sparked a blaze at her Vine Street home Dec. 4.

Scott, who argued Siglin's ex-husband and police set him up, was found guilty following a February jury trial.

Before his sentencing Wednesday, Scott, acting as his own attorney, called about 10 witnesses to pursue a claim there was new evidence in the case.

He also argued the state improperly shut out his defense during trial when it introduced phone records that showed the ex-husband wasn't in Waterloo at the time of the fire.

The judge dismissed those motions and sentenced Scott to up to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution.

Officials estimated the damage at between $150,000 and $200,000, said Assistant Black Hawk County Attorney Charity Sullivan.

Scott also is awaiting trial for second-degree criminal mischief charges that allege he destroyed furniture and other items at the same house and began flooding the basement in September.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.