Paranoid arsonist set fire to himself in flat

A PARANOID man set himself and his supported living accommodation on fire because he thought he was being followed everywhere and "someone had got a hit on him".

- by OLIVIER VERGNAULT

Jason Davies, 38, screwed the door of his Penzance flat shut and used inflammable lithium grease to set himself and his room alight in an attempt to deal with his demons.

He appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday, May 9, for sentencing after previously admitting a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Davies was remanded to a psychiatric hospital under a Section 36/41 order. Also known as a hospital order with restrictions, this is a legal order under the UK Mental Health Act 1983.

The court was told Davies had lived in a flat in a three-storey block in Princess Court, New Street.