A man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for setting fire to a room at a housing scheme where he was living.
Robert Burne, was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge it was clear he needed help and a hospital order was the best option.
The court heard how Burne, 33, of Savernake Road, Chelmsford, set fire to his room at the Ashley Homes Project in Chelmsford. The project provided accommodation for people with mental health problems, Jeremy Dugdale, prosecuting, told the court.
Burne set fire to some curtains and the blaze also damaged a carpet and walls. He phoned the fire service and said he had set fire to his room. He put it out and said he wanted to murder someone and get himself arrested. He admitted a charge of arson.
Adam Budworth, mitigating, said Burne was suffering from a mental illness. He was sorry for what he did.
Published Monday, October 4, 2004
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