A MAN set fire to his own flat after a friend stole his money, a court was told.

David Welsh was described as a "drunken idiot" by his solicitor after admitting arson.

Prosecuting at Droitwich Magistrates Court, Susan Cliff said Welsh had been arrested following a spate of vandalism at the ground-floor flat in Malvern's Priory Road.

She told the court Welsh - who had been drinking prior to the incident - gouged plaster from walls, smashed a mirror and attacked a door and shower unit on Sunday, January 7.

Welsh lit a fire on the carpet inside the flat with a pile of mail from the Benefits Agency.

"The defendant said later 'I got my hands on anything flammable'," said Mrs Cliff.

Welsh, who was arrested by police at 5.19am that day, admitted arson and criminal damage. The damage was put at £1,800.

Barry Newton, defending, said the 22-year-old had no previous convictions and had "numerous" qualifications from school, though he had dropped out of sixth form college.

He told the court Welsh had felt "worthless" and was in a "parlous financial state" before deciding to burn the stationery.

"The straw that broke the camel's back was that a friend had stolen the last bit of money, and was taking the mickey out of him," said Mr Newton.

"My client behaved like an absolute drunken idiot. He put out the fire when the smoke alarms went off."

The magistrates told Welsh, of Cowleigh Bank in Malvern, his act could have had "dire consequences for other residents in the flats, who were no doubt sleeping".

He was ordered to do 150 hours' community service and to pay £1,800 compensation to a Mr Graham, as well as £118 in court costs.