A ‘TROUBLED’ inmate started a fire in his jail cell and then refused to leave when prison staff opened the door and urged him to flee, a court was told.

Jordan Mark Stalker was eventually brought to safety, after staff members were forced to enter the smoke-ridden cell at Durham Prison.

Stalker who stated he wanted to take his own life, received treatment for smoke inhalation in the prison’s medical centre, in the wake of the incident, on September 25 last year.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that several weeks later, following his release from prison, Stalker attempted to rob a pharmacy, intending to take drugs, and then struggled with police when he was arrested.

Appearing via video link from Durham Prison, Stalker denied a charge of arson, with intent to endanger life, but admitted an alternative charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said those pleas were considered “acceptable” to the Crown.

Mr Baker said Stalker also stands to be sentenced for a robbery at a Co-op pharmacy in his native Carlisle, committed on November 17.

He struggled with staff as he tried to grab items from cabinets at the premises, in Wigton Road.

Stalker pleaded ‘guilty’ to both attempted robbery and wilfully obstructing police, at a previous hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.

His barrister, Glenn Gatland said: “It’s quite plain this is a deeply troubled young man who committed both the arson and attempted robbery intending to take his own life.

“He does have difficulties which need looking into.”

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned for preparation of reports on Stalker by both a psychiatrist and the Probation Service, prior to sentence.

The 29-year-old, of Shadygrove Road, Raffles, Carlisle, was remanded in custody to be sentenced on Friday August 14.