A MAN set ablaze a neighbour's door after allegations that the occupier had sexually assaulted a child, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Colin Goldingay, who was suffering from a mental illness at the time, also set fire to his own door in a bid to deflect suspicion from himself.

He minimised the risks, however, by alerting the fire service about the neighbour's fire in Burcher Green, Kidderminster, said Nicolas Cartwright, defending.

Goldingay, 57, of Biset Avenue, Kidderminster, admitted two counts of arson while reckless whether life was endangered.

Judge John Cavell said arson was such "a terrifying offence" that jail was normally the penalty.

After reading two psychiatric reports, however, he concluded that the defendant was "mentally unwell" when he set the fires and his behaviour had been "irrational and impulsive".

He gave Goldingay a three-year community rehabilitation order with a condition that he comply with medical treatment.

Tim Sapwell, prosecuting, said the arson victim was woken by Goldingay at 4am to see if he was taking his medication on October 14 last year.

After the defendant left, fumes wafted into the man's bedroom and a plastic tub containing a paper towel soaked in white spirit was by the front door. Flames up to 5ft high had burned the door.

The next night a similar blaze broke out at Goldingay's home.

Goldingay told police he became angry with his neighbour because he saw himself as the victim in the child abuse allegations.

He set the door ablaze in a bid to persuade the man to leave the area.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, said Goldingay was an out-patient at Kidderminster hospital for nearly two years before being discharged in March last year.

His mental condition deteriorated after he stopped taking his medication.

Mr Cartwright said he now had insight into his condition. When he was well he was no risk to the public.

A social worker had been assigned to him to keep a check on his mental health.