Chronic alcoholic David Ashkettle turned on the gas and lit papers and a sofa in his Colchester house before collecting his cats and leaving.
He was discovered later sitting on a bench drinking a can of beer, Chelmsford Crown Court heard. Ashkettle, 52, told police later he was depressed and the house in Kendall Road held bad memories for him.
He admitted a charge of reckless arson when he appeared in court for sentence.
Judge Gareth Hawkes-worth deferred sentence for six months. The judge told Ashkettle, of Halstead Road, Colchester, he was giving him a chance to sort out his alcohol problems before sentence is finally passed.
But the judge warned him that, if he failed, he was facing prison. The court heard firefighters and police were called to Ashkettle's former council house home in Kendall Road shortly after 8.30pm on June 1.
Firefighters discovered the burning paper in front of a heater in the living room, more lit paper in front of the gas cooker in the kitchen and another fire on a sofa under the stairs. The gas had been turned on, the court heard.
Damage to the house was estimated at £2,250, the court heard.
Peter Fenn, mitigating, said Ashkettle had a chronic alcohol problem and suffered from depression. He did not work and spent most of his time drinking.
Ashkettle decided to set fire to the house as it held sad memories, Mr Fenn added.
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Published Monday, September 19, 2005
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