Wakefield man given hospital order after setting fire to his own home

Aaron Gavaghan, 31, set the front door of his end-terrace council house alight on Bamborough Street last January during a manic episode.

He threw pans and other items at emergency crews who arrived to help, and negotiators were called before he was arrested. He later admitted arson reckless as to whether life was endangered and criminal damage.

Leeds Crown Court heard the Wakefield Council property needed between £5,000 and £10,000 of repairs. Gavaghan has 58 previous convictions for 100 offences.

Judge Penelope Belcher imposed a Section 37 hospital order with Section 41 restrictions.
He will remain in a secure psychiatric unit until he is deemed well enough for release, which can only be approved by the Secretary of State. The court was told he has an anti-social personality disorder and a chronic psychotic disor