Arsonist Ivan Chandler is starting a four-year jail sentence after he gutted his home and wrecked neighbouring houses.

Chandler, 36, said troubles began when he "heard voices" in his head and became depressed. So he went to the spare room of his home in Auric Close, Chadwell St Mary, and used lighter fuel to torch a pile of old furniture.

Luckily no one was hurt in the inferno in January this year.

Chandler pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to a charge of reckless arson which could have endangered life.

Patrick Cahill, representing Chandler, said the defendant got neighbours to phone for an ambulance because was feeling so low.

But when he arrived at hospital he was turned away because there was no signs of injury, said Mr Cahill.

He added: "The defendant accepts what he did was wrong and nothing like this would ever happen again. Fortunately, he targeted property and not people.

"He had no concept of the consequences of what might happen the day he burned down his home. He stayed in there until things got out of hand and the firemen arrived."

In passing sentence, Judge Frank Lockhart told Chandler: "This was a serious case which put lives at risk."

Published Tuesday, August 5, 2003

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