Man admits flat arson which caused more than £8k of damage

Metkel Gebremeskel, 27, had previously started a fire at his flat in Balderston Court, off Calvert Street a few days before another fire broke out after he set fire to a mattress.

Norwich Crown Court heard Gebremeslel left the property after setting fire to his bedding shortly before 6pm on October 22 last year resulting in the fire brigade being called and those living nearby having to be "evacuated by firefighters".

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said the "ante was somewhat upped" by the second fire Gebremeskel had lit which resulted in one neighbour reporting they had heard an "explosion".

Mr Youell said there had been a "bang of some kind" after the fire which was later extinguished by firefighters.

He said most of the £8,397 worth of damage done to the council property was as a result of smoke damage.

Mr Youell said Gebremeskel, who has "mental health issues", was picked up by police in the Tombland area of the city just after 6.10pm.

Gebremeskel, of Balderston Court, off Calvert Street, Norwich, appeared for sentence on Thursday (May 18) having previously admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Ian James, mitigating for Gebremeskel, said he had admitted the offence and should be given full credit for his plea.

He said experts had "concerns about his mental health" and insisted his mental health "unquestionably played a part in this offence".

Recorder Michael Turner said he did not have enough information to be able to properly sentence the defendant today.

He adjourned sentence until July 28 to allow a pre-sentence report to be carried out.