AN arsonist who set fire to his flat while his neighbour slept upstairs said he was told to do it by ‘demonic voices’ in his head.

Anthony Bourke, 35, was high on drugs when he poured petrol over living room furniture at his home in South Shields.

He set it alight then got into his car and fled as the flames began to take hold inside the flat on Copley Avenue.

Neighbours saw smoke bellowing from the property and alerted the woman who lived in a flat above.

She was able to escape just in time before the fire exploded and sent shattered glass from the windows flying across the street.

Emergency services attended the address and Bourke was later arrested after being found “hiding in a cupboard” at his partner’s address.

He was later charged and at Newcastle Crown Court he pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to endanger life.

On Monday, he was jailed for 32 months.

PC Leigh Booth said: “This was an appalling example of reckless behaviour that could have easily resulted in the loss of life.”

“If it was not for the intervention of nearby residents then the woman who lived above Anthony Bourke may not have escaped in time.

“He told us that he was told to set the fire by demonic voices but also admitted that he had been taking drugs on the night of the arson.

“We also know that he had threatened to set fire to his house in the days prior to the attack so there was still a degree of planning.

“I know he has made life a misery for many of the local community and I welcome the lengthy jail term handed down by the judge.”

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