A JUDGE this week questioned whether the man who told a court he had started the fire which destroyed classrooms at The Avenue School in Warminster was mentally fit to admit his guilt.

Edward Beavis appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, when judge Michael Vere-Hodge QC adjourned the case so that Beavis could be found representation and for an updated psychiatric report on the homeless 34-year-old.

Beavis had pleaded guilty to arson and criminal damage when he appeared before magistrates in Salisbury only days after the fire on January 4. The early morning blaze destroyed two classrooms at The Avenue and caused more than £200,000 of damage.

Pupils' work was destroyed and Year 5 and 6 students - who are preparing for their SATs exams - were forced to miss around three days of lessons.

When he appeared before magistrates in Salisbury the following day ?the court heard police found him in Warminster, covered in paint and smelling of smoke, shortly after the blaze.

As the charges against him were read, Beavis shouted from the dock: "And I set fire to a bin and smashed the windows and all.

"I am and will be forever guilty, and proud to say so, thank you."

On Monday Judge Vere-Hodge said: "I am going to put the case back to find out about your legal representation.

"One thing is, because you have mental health issues, I want to know you are fit to plea to this charge.

"There needs to be an updated psychiatric report to be prepared for the pre-sentence report. Information referred to by the probation officers is a psychiatric report which pre-dates the offence in this case.

"It is very important the court has an up-to-date psychiatric report."

Speaking to Beavis, he added: "I will remand you in custody. There is a risk to the community if you were to be released at present."

Beavis replied: "I understand."

A target date was set for Beavis' next hearing at Salisbury Crown Court on March 20.