AN ELLESMERE Port man threatened to set himself on fire because he was hearing voices in his head, a court heard.
When police arrived at the home of Paul Michael Davies in Ellesmere Port they saw flames through the window, but after forcing their way in the fire was out and Davies was unharmed.
Minutes earlier during a desperate phone call to a health worker at a Chester hospital Davies had also threatened to shoot himself with a stun gun, Chester Crown Court was told.
Davies, 25, of Princes Road, pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, and a separate offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having a bladed article in a public place on October 9.
The court heard how just weeks before the arson incident Davies had run at an aquaintenance holding a knife and attacked him over a dispute, although Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said the knife was not used in any way to harm the victim, Samuel Baker.
The court heard Mr Baker required a small amount of stitching to his head and Davies was arrested.
While on bail for the offence Davies called the Bowmere Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, appearing to sound drunk, slurring his speech and in an agitated state, Mr Hussey said.
“Mr Davies said he was hearing voices and was going to set fire to himself. He was saying he had been out with friends. The health worker tried to engage with Mr Davies who said he had a stun gun and was going to shoot himself.”
Police and firefighters were called to Davies’ home soon after the fire had been started.
Davies had been due to be sentenced for the offences on Monday but the case was adjourned until Tuesday when a psychiatric report would also be considered.