A firebug who set his bed ablaze in an apparent su

A firebug who set his bed ablaze in an apparent suicide bid but then changed his mind and raised the alarm, has been jailed for six months.

Michael O’Connell ran out to ring the fire brigade as his flat went up in flames.

But London’s Southwark Crown Court heard fellow residents of the block were in little danger thanks to the concrete construction of the building.

The 26-year-old admitted simple arson at Stanway Court, Geffrye Estate, Hoxton, North London, on August 20 last year.

Jailing O’Connell, Judge Christopher Elwen said it appeared the defendant had been upset by a letter mistakenly left at his address by the council.

‘But it is urged upon me that your actions were aimed against yourself rather than the London Borough of Hackney.

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But the judge said the matter was so serious he must impose a prison sentence, ‘but in determining that sentence, I give you full credit for your guilty plea and the fact the fire brigade was telephoned by you.

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He told O’Connell that it was ‘unfortunate’ he found it difficult to set ‘priorities’ in his life.

‘And deal with day to day problems that your reaction is to throw inflammable liquid on your bed and set fire to it.

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ends