Man faces jail term for torching house in Chippenham (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Man faces jail term for torching house in Chippenham

9:10am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Local By Staff reporter

A man in his sixties who torched a building last summer has been warned he could face a jail term.

Stewart Menzies pleaded guilty to a charge of arson when he appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.

The 63-year-old admitted starting a fire at the property on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, on Sunday August 21 last year.

He started the fire being reckless as to whether damage was caused at the building belonging to himself and Stephanie Menzies.

Andrew Eddy, defending, said his client appeared to have mental health problems and said a psychiatric report is being prepared on him.

Menzies, of Tufnell Park, north London, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether damage was caused.

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case to Thursday April 5 and released Menzies on bail until then.

He said: “It is a serious matter and I am sure you have been advised as to likely sentence and you should prepare yourself for the possibility of a prison sentence because it is a serious matter and that is certainly one of the outcomes that is uppermost in a sentencing judge’s mind in offences of this sort.”