A MAN who set four separate fires to houses in his home town was told he must await psychiatric reports to find out his fate at court today (Friday, January 29).

Andrew Derbyshire, 22, from Stanley in County Durham, started the fires in the town last year, a jury found at Teesside Crown Court.

However because he has been deemed unfit to plead due to his autism he could not give evidence in his defence. That meant the jury could not record a verdict of 'guilty' and he can not go to jail.

Instead Judge Howard Crowson ordered that doctors' reports are compiled to determine whether Mr Derbyshire should be treated in hospital or if he can be looked after in the community.

The court heard that on one occasion a bin was set alight and pushed up to the front door of a bungalow on Joicey Gardens in Stanley, while an old sofa which had been left out in the street for collection was destroyed in another.

On the night of the fires, which all occurred on Stanley's Poet's Estate on February 14, an 84-year-old woman was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation as precaution, but was unharmed.

Mr Derbyshire, of Cheviot Terrace in South Stanley, was found to have committed one charge of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, one actual arson with attempt to endanger life, one count of arson and one of damaging property by fire. However he was cleared of another, fifth alleged arson and a sixth count had already been dropped.

Mr Derbyshire has been on bail but was ordered to stay at his mother's house and must wear an electronic tag. Daniel Cordey, defending, said: "He's been on an electronically monitored curfew and there has been no breaches. In fact Mr Derbyshire and his mother has found it useful to help build structure into his life."

Addressing Mr Derbyshire directly, Judge Crowson said: "You must return to court and see the doctors again and they will give me some information so I can make a decision.

"You must live at your mum's and have the tag on your leg. You've done all that before, but you must do it again."

Mr Derbyshire was supported by his family in court and left with them.

The judge will decide on the best course of action on Monday, March 21.