A man who set fire to his home said he was “trying to keep Satan at bay”.
Items in a cupboard under the stairs were set alight by Darren Law.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that he later told police officers “You are Satan and I have to slay you.”
Law, 25, admitted wilfully setting fire to the first floor flat in Glasgow Road, Wishaw, to the potential danger of neighbours on February 22.
He also admitted trying to spit on a police officer at the scene.
He was the subject of two bail orders at the time.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said firefighters were alerted around 7pm.
On arrival, they were met by Law who admitted starting the fire. They managed to put out the flames.
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Law has mental health issues.
Sheriff Thomas Millar jailed Law for 16 months, but backdated the sentence as he had been in custody since his arrest.
Given early release rules, that meant he was freed immediately.
Law also appeared for sentence on separate charges of vandalism, threatening or abusive behaviour and malicious mischief.
He was placed under supervision for one year.
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