A MAN who set himself on fire while fearing he could be jailed for a knife-carrying incident has appeared in court for the original offence.

Tragic Stephen Walker - who was not expected to survive his extensive burns - was worried over the court case arising from his arrest for making slashing motions with a knife, Durham Crown Court heard.

Three girls were frightened by Walker's actions but he later told police he only intended to harm himself

The 31-year-old emerged from his Bishop Auckland home in flames having doused himself in petrol following a lengthy drinking binge on May 26 last year.

He persuaded drinking pal Kevin Howe to go for the petrol and a lighter before pouring the fuel round his Walker Drive home and setting it alight.

It caused a small blast and windows were blown out, before Walker staggered out covered in flames.

Neighbours, joined by a passing police officer, used clothing and blankets to put him out and he was taken to hospital in critical condition, with mostly third-degree, full-skin burns.

By the time Howe appeared on trial, accused of encouraging or assisting suicide, at Durham Crown Court, last September, there were still fears for Walker’s long-term recovery.

It emerged that among Walker’s fears were that he was at risk of a jail sentence at the time, following a drunken, knife-carrying incident in Bishop Auckland town centre weeks earlier.

Howe, 20, of Cheesmond Avenue, Bishop Auckland, was convicted and jailed for 12-years, last October, but his sentence was subsequently reduced by two years by the Court of Appeal.

Walker, 31, finally appeared himself at the crown court over the knife-carrying incident.

Still heavily-bandaged he was assisted into the dock, to be sentenced after admitting possessing a bladed article in public, and a public order offence following the incident, on April 3 last year.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said he had distressed three passing girls who spotted him in a supermarket car park, and later outside a takeaway, making slashing motions with a knife at his own neck and falling to the ground.

When arrested he said his only intention was to harm himself.

Psychiatric and background probation reports were presented to the court.

Scott Smith, mitigating, said it was clear Walker has suffered, “a long history of mental health problems" and a history of alcohol problems.

Sentencing him to a 12 month community order, with 12 months supervision, Judge Penny Moreland told Walker: "The purpose is to offer you support to ensure the behaviour you showed in April last year isn’t repeated.”

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