A pensioner with health problems has been given a community order after he set fire to curtains in his room at a Huddersfield care home.

Leeds Crown Court heard Paul Armitage, 70, had a history of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder and was regularly assessed by psychiatric nurses but knew what he was doing on the day concerned at the Ashleigh Care Home in Newsome.

Duncan Ritchie prosecuting told the court Armitage was a smoker and staff had previously caught him smoking in his room and had to confiscate his cigarettes. He was unhappy at living there as a result.

On August 9 last year staff heard the fire alarm go off and found Armitage in the corridor and he told them he had set fire to his curtains with his cigarette lighter.

Staff extinguished the blaze which had caused some heat damage to the window as well as some smoke damage. The total cost was estimated at £2,500.

Mr Ritchie said Armitage was remorseful for the inconvenience he had caused and has since been moved to a more secure nursing facility in Bradford.

Mark McKone representing Armitage said he had mental health problems but had been had been treated in the community since 1962.

Armitage admitted arson reckless to whether life was endangered and was given a three year community order with a mental health treatment requirement.

Judge Jacqueline Davies told him “this could have been very serious but fortunately it wasn’t as serious as it could have been.” She told him to comply with his treatment adding “people will be keeping an eye on you.”