A man charged with two counts of arson has had his sentence hearing adjourned again.

Robert Kavanagh, 40, was due to be sentenced for two counts of arson with intent to endanger life at Preston Crown Court yesterday (October 14).

Kavanagh, of Further Clough Head, Nelson, has had previous sentence hearings on July 10 and August 22 adjourned as well.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said two expert reports which had been supplied by the court suggested a hospital order should be the outcome of the case.

However, the court would need to find out whether there is a bed available at Guild Lodge Hospital before it can make this order.

Judge Philip Parry, addressing Kavanagh, said: “The issue is the judge has to consider all sentencing disposals, including whether you should stay in hospital or go to prison, or a combination of both.

“The court cannot consider sending you to hospital for treatment until we are told there is a bed available for you, and I don’t know whether there is.

“At the moment we’ve only got a small piece of information, and I need everything.”

Judge Parry granted Kavanagh permission to appear at the next hearing via video link rather than in-person.

The hearing was adjourned to November 15.