An arsonist is facing jail after a serious house fire in Nottingham. Abraham English was said to have started the blaze that required the attention of four fire trucks, police and paramedics in November last year.
Extreme damage was caused to the house English's ex-partner lived in with three of his children and one other child, with the majority of the household out on the day of the fire on November 17, Nottingham Crown Court heard. English, 34, had visited the house earlier in the day, reports NottinghamshireLive.
He was said not to be in a 'good place mentally' with his ex-partner recounting how he sat crying and covered the camera on his phone with Blu Tack, saying the phones were bugged.
He reportedly told her: "They have got to you too," before starting the fire in an upstairs bedroom. A neighbour saw smoke coming from the room and attempted to get inside the property but the door handle was said to be too hot.
English jumped out of a window and was motionless for some time, the court heard. But he got up with a limp and went back inside, locking everyone out and himself in.
Police forced entry to the property and kicked down a lounge door, as there was a pet or child gate against it, which English had barricaded. Prosecuting, Alex Wolfson, said: "When police found him, he was trying to kill himself by cutting his own throat. He was tasered to prevent him doing any more harm.
"The wound was bleeding. Police tried to keep pressure on it. Thankfully, the wound was not serious or in the right place, because he was fine, at least physically".
The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to arson being reckless and was due to be sentenced today. But Judge Stuart Rafferty KC expressed concern about the case and ordered a second psychiatric report on English before he decides on his conclusion.
A previous report conducted found English to be depressed, but the judge stated that he is expressing paranoid delusional thoughts. English was prescribed anti-psychotic medication last year when he was admitted to hospital.
The judge said: "I just don't feel I know enough," with the case to be re-listed on June 15.
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