PROSECUTORS have been given a week to decide if they accept a 26 year-old man's claim that he was being reckless when he set fire to buildings and a lorry in the Forest of Dean.

Ricky Enfield, of Bridge House, Worcester city centre, admitted damaging three workshops and a Volvo FM12 tipper truck by setting them on fire in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, between Wednesday and Saturday, September 3 and 6, last year.

In addition to the two charges of arson, Enfield also admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking - but he entered his pleas on the basis the acts were not deliberate.

Appearing at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, he said the blaze which destroyed the truck and damaged buildings at Excavator House had begun after he absent-mindedly lit a cannabis joint next to containers of highly flammable paint thinner.

"He had taken the Volvo while drunk and after having taken at least two ecstasy tablets," said George Threlfall, defending.

"He drove the 32-ton vehicle around Cinderford, causing damage to a dressed stone wall, a Ford Mondeo and a Rover 414.

"He left the lorry then visited an old woman friend of his and told her what he had done. He then went back to the lorry to further inspect the damage.

"It was while he was lighting a spliff in the cab that he heard a huge 'Whoosh' and the fire began."

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Enfield the length of prison sentence he would receive rested on whether he had committed his crimes through recklessness or through a deliberate desire to cover his tracks.

Guilty plea

"You have pleaded guilty and you are going down," he said.

"The prosecution are sceptical about exactly how this fire started and they are entitled to consider the matter further. They haven't yet made up their minds.

"If they accept your version you will be sentenced, if not there may have to be a Newton hearing."

Enfield, who was remanded in custody, will return to court in a week's time.