Fire starter on 'a cocktail of drugs' torched his parents' home - LancsLive

Mum and dad supported son in court

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A man who set fire to his parents house in Wilpshire has been jailed for three years.

Jack Lain, 37, doused his parents bedroom with lighter fluid from a wine bottle before starting the fire on September 26, 2023. Lain's father suffered burns to his hand as he tried to take the bottle from his son. Both parents were taken to hospital following the blaze, Preston Crown Court heard.

Fire investigators said the bedroom, bathroom and stairs were severely damaged. At the time of the fire, Lain, a former civil servant, was suffering a mental health condition and was under the influence of drugs.

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He had been off his medication and buying large quantities of benzodiazepines on the black market. Following his arrest he was remanded in custody and is more stable after receiving treatment. He told a probation officer he was "disgusted" by what he had done.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Unsworth KC said: "Given the rapid development of the fire it is very fortunate this incident didn't cause more serious injuries to your parents."

Lain's parents supported him in court. They had been frustrated with the level of support offered to their son for his mental health struggles, the judge said.

The defendant, of Woodcrest, Wilpshire, pleaded guilty to reckless arson, on the basis the fire was not premeditated, and wounding his father. He said he was on "a cocktail of drugs" and suffering a significant mental health episode when he started the fire.

Judge Unsworth KC urged the authorities to provide support for Lain to reduce his risk when he is released from prison, and told the defendent he should "cherish his parents".

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