(Image: Durham Constabulary)
A man who started a fire in a Durham house will have to wait to learn his fate, after a judge said he needed to rule out whether he was a pyromaniac.
Alfie Mavin previously admitted a charge of reckless arson after setting a fire at a woman's home in Frank Street, Gilesgate, Durham, on Monday, February 9.
The 26-year-old appeared before Teesside Crown Court on Friday (August 21), via video link from prison for sentencing.
But his counsel, Jennifer Coxon, asked if Judge Peter Armstrong would adjourn so a psychiatric assessment could be made.
Miss Coxon told the judge: “He understands a custodial sentence is most likely and is keen to learn his fate.”
Judge Armstrong said: “The main thing about a psychiatric report in these cases is to confirm that the defendant isn’t a pyromaniac, although I notice that the Probation Service do not believe the 'dangerous' provisions apply in this case.
“If this offence was simply out of anger, then he can be sentenced on a determinate sentence basis.
“I know he’ll be disappointed not to know his fate today, but, out of an abundance of caution, I think we should have a psychiatric report.”
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The judge told Mavin: “Where somebody has committed an offence of arson, the Court of Appeal says it is unwise to pass sentence without a psychiatric report to confirm someone who has started a fire doesn’t have unhealthy problems about fire setting.
“It’s bound to be a custodial sentence, as you have been advised, and any time you serve now on remand will count towards the eventual sentence, so you are not losing anything.
“It is in your interest.”
Mavin was remanded to remain in custody until sentence on October 20.