Alcoholic set fire to home over 'voices'

A MAN with drink problems told police he started a blaze at his home because he was depressed on the anniversary of his parents' deaths and wanted to kill himself.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2010, 08:53 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2010, 08:54 BST

Jerome Singleton said he could hear his father's voice coming from the sofa and wanted it to stop. His father and mother had both died on October 19 two years apart.

But after he started the fire in the bedroom of his home in Wentworth Drive, South Kirkby, last year he attracted the attention of a passer by who raised the alarm and helped Singleton escape out a window.

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Michael Collins, representing Singleton, told Leeds Crown Court Singleton suffered from alcoholic hallucinations after mixing drink and medication.

Singleton, 29, was jailed for 18 months after he admitted arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Sentencing him Judge James Spencer QC said the consequences could have been much more severe.

He said Singleton had to accept that drink was at the root of his problem and decide to abstain from alcohol.

Philip Adams, prosecuting, said Singleton caused an estimated 4,000 damage in the blaze which he began after pouring turpentine on to the sofa in his lounge.