Man believed he'd been 'hypnotised' - then put lighter to petrol pump in chaotic scenes

Guy Ward has appeared in court

A man who was caught attempting to set fire to petrol pumps at a West Yorkshire fuel station told police he had been "hypnotised".

Bradford Crown Court heard on Monday, October 5, how Guy Ward tried to set fire to pumps at the Shell garage in Kirkstall Road on June 1 last year. The court heard that officers were called after Ward had been seen on the forecourt trying to use a lighter to set fire to the pumps.

Ward, 23, of Hallwood Green, was then seen walking to the nearby Jaguar World store where he kicked in a glass panel and climbed in through the broken window. Prosecutor Mollie Briggs said Ward took two bottles of champagne and was found sat in the foyer area drinking.

After being arrested Ward refused to supply a sample for a drugs test and was “unresponsive” in his interview. Eventually he told officers he was “hypnotised” and undergoing electromagnetic therapy.

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Ward, who had no previous convictions, was remanded in custody last year, but he was later transferred to a mental health unit. The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge Jonathan Rose explained that Ward was not present for his hearing due to his severe mental health condition.

Ward had previously admitted offences of attempted arson, burglary, shop theft and failing to provide samples for drugs tests.

The court heard how he had already spent more than a year either in custody or in hospital and Judge Rose said he was satisfied that a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 was the appropriate course of action.

“It is clear from the reports of the doctors that the offending in this case is inextricably linked to the mental wellbeing of the defendant,” said the judge.