Delusional man set fire to neighbour's van

[dutchman]

A delusional man set fire to a van in the road outside his neighbour’s home after complaining that they were repeatedly playing music too loud.

But after hearing that Christopher Sanders was suffering from ‘a genuine mental illness,’ a judge took the exceptional course of not jailing him.

Sanders, 54, now of Cressage Road, Walsgrave, Coventry, had pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to charges of arson and causing criminal damage.

And after reading a psychiatric report on him, Judge Richard Griffith-Jones gave him an 18-month community order with 30 days of a rehabilitation activity.

Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard said that, at the time of the incidents in April and May, Sanders lived next door to two women at an address in Poole Road, Radford, Coventry. In April the window in their front door was smashed, and they believed Sanders was responsible and report the matter to the police, but it could not be proved he had caused the damage.

The following month the boyfriend of one of the women was visiting, and they were having a cup of tea when they learned that Sanders was in the local pub complaining about them making noise.

So they stayed up because they were anxious in case anything happened as Sanders made his way back from the pub.

And at shortly before midnight they heard him outside shouting for them to come out and then kicking the door, saying: “This is your last chance.”

The boyfriend called the police, and when he then looked out of the window he saw that his Citroen van was on fire and Sanders was nearby.

Miss Orchard said the £8,000 van and the work tools in it were completely destroyed.

A neighbour who had come outside after hearing a loud bang saw the van burst into flames, and was told by Sanders: “I’ve told them before.”

When he was arrested, he told officers: “They drove me to it with their music. I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

And when he was interviewed he said he had arrived home at 5pm and heard loud music, so went to the pub; but claimed it was still going when he got back and he could not stand it anymore.

So he got a five-litre can of petrol he had at his home for his motorbike, smashed the van window with a stone and poured petrol inside before setting light to it.

Judge Griffith-Jones, having read a psychiatric report, commented: “There is no doubt his culpability is very much reduced by the condition he suffers from.”

Miss Orchard agreed, pointing out that there was nothing to suggest music had been played loud.

But a report showed Sanders suffers from a ‘persistent delusional disorder’ which includes the mistaken belief that he is subjected to malevolent behaviour by others.

Rachel Pennington, defending, said: “The key difference between now and prior to this offence is that Mr Sanders has sought help for his mental illness.

“He now accepts he suffers from this delusional disorder, and he’s accepted the help of the mental health services from whom he has twice-weekly visits to ensure he’s taking his medication.”

Sentencing Sanders, Judge Griffith-Jones told him: “Arson is a very dangerous offence. It can generate risks to health and life and, as here, it can do enormous financial damage.

“If I were sure that you were morally culpable for this offence it would have been a duty of mine to pass a substantial custodial sentence.

“But the medical evidence compels me to the view that you would not have committed this offence if it was not for a mental disorder you suffer from, which is not your fault.”

[rebbonk]

No mention of making restitution for the van and tools?

[dutchman]

I'd have thought if he was a danger to neighbours he should be in secure accommodation?

[rebbonk]

I don't think we have that many secure units available these days. I once worked at one in Nth Staffs - absolutely shocking I can tell you.