A Swindon man has appeared in court accused of trying to start a fire at his grandparents’ home on Monday.
Heavily-tattooed Stuart Wheaton faces a charge of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, an offence that carries a sentence of up to 12 years imprisonment.
It’s the crown’s case that the 34-year-old, of Dickens Close, Liden, went to his grandparents’ home on 8 March and whilst intoxicated and hearing voices, set fire to a door to the property.
An inditable-only offence, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was adjourned to Swindon Crown Court on 9 April.
A bail application was made by Mr Wheaton’s defence solicitor, but prosecutor Kate Prince asked for him to be remanded in custody.
His solicitor told the court he had “severe mental problems” and would struggle in prison if remanded, adding that he is of previous good character with no previous convictions.
The bench took around 20 minutes to weigh up the options but decided not to grant bail as the “risks are too high”.
