A SCHIZOPHRENIC who put a woman's life in danger by starting a fire outside her Melksham flat has been spared further jail time, so he can get help.

Darren Durn had harassed the woman who lived downstairs, cutting her phone lines and pouring petrol outside her front as well as setting another blaze in the hall.

After hearing the 50-year-old had never been in trouble before and had served more than 13 months on remand a judge imposed a community order.

But he warned him that should he fail to comply with its conditions, including treatment for his mental health, he could face a lengthy jail term.

Chris Smyth, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how Durn lived in the flat over his victim in Hurricane Road, Bowerhill, Melksham.

In August last year her phone and internet lines were repeatedly cut and she found puddles of a liquid, which smelled of petrol, outside her flat almost every day.

Because of the issues a CCTV camera, focussing on the front door of the four flat block, was set up in her kitchen.

On August 28 there was evidence of a fire in the hallway and footage showed him entering with tissues or napkins, which were later found charred.

On September 7, the CCTV showed Durn hanging around outside in the early hours. When he went in there was a flash of light in the communal area which looked like a burst of fire and burnt paper and cardboard was later found there.

After the blaze the victim said her flat became uninhabitable because of smoke damage and she and her daughter had to move out.

The defendant was arrested the following day and in his flat police found a squash bottle containing a petrol-like substance and a red fuel can.

Durn pleaded guilty to arson being reckless to whether life was endangered, attempted arson being reckless to whether life was endangered and harassment.

Ellen McAnaw, defending, said her client had been on remand in prison and a psychiatric unit for more than 13 months.

She said his anti-psychotic drugs were being administered by monthly injection and he had could stay with a friend in Swindon.

She said his family and he were determined that he would not return to using the cannabis as he sought to stay out of trouble.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC said if he imposed a jail term much of it would have been served, and a suspended sentence had a maximum of two years.

He said "If you fail to make the continued progress with your mental health the court can have you back here and give you a period of custody.

"It means the court can give you the support you need but there is the option, should you fail, to send you to custody for longer than the two years of a suspended sentence.

"That is why I am going for a community order: it will be for three years."

Along with the community order he said Durn would have supervision, a mental health treatment order and 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.