A DEPRESSED father of two who torched his bed and threatened police because he feared his marriage was over has walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard "emotionally disturbed," John McGuigan, 38, who had had about 14 pints, had barricaded himself into the bedroom of his terrace property in a suicide bid after a heated row over possible divorce.

Armoured police and a hostage negotiator were called to the incident after he started the blaze as his children and his wife's mother slept in their beds.

McGuigan, now reconciled with his wife, a registered general nurse at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, was given a community punishment and rehabilitation order of 80 hours and 12 months.

The defendant, of Whalley Road, Accrington, had earlier admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, last May.

Sentencing, Judge Pamela Badley said the defendant had taken his troubles into the public domain and "very publicly," issued threats. Normally he would have been facing custody for what he had done but she could find exceptional circumstances because he was said to be at low risk of reoffending.

The police had been brave in tackling him and, had they not controlled the situation and the fire taken more hold, he could have been facing life in jail.

The judge said McGuigan's behaviour had been "extraordinary," as he had been hard working and law abiding for 20 years.

He had taken a lot of drink in a "binge," session and had been suffering from a mild depressive illness, possibly brought about because he could not cope with his problems.

The judge added that if the defendant struck again he would face a long time behind bars.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said the McGuigans had been out to a club while the defendant's mother in law was baby sitting.

They returned in the early hours, a row erupted and the defendant barricaded himself into the bedroom, armed with a knife, a can of cigarette lighter fuel and a lighter.

Police were called, attempts to calm McGuigan failed and he refused to come out of the bedroom.

He threatened to cut police up and then set the bed alight as he continued to abuse officers.

Mr Dickinson said police evacuated the children and Mrs McGuigan's mother but he still refused to leave as the house filled with smoke.

Officers from the Operational Support Unit were called in and a hostage negotiator was also alerted.

Armoured police arrived to break in but the fire had by this time spiralled out of control and the defendant was forced to flea.

He was arrested after a struggle, threw punches at police but was put to the ground. The fire brigade then brought the blaze under control.

The prosecutor said that when McGuigan was interviewed, he said he had been upset at the prospect of divorce and losing his children.

He told officers he had intended to take his life by inhaling fumes from the fire. He had then begun to choke, panicked and managed to escape from the room.

Mark Stuart, defending, said McGuigan, a chargehand at Caligen for 18 years, looked after the children while his wife worked permanant nights.

He had gone back to work six weeks after the incident and had been on anti-depressants.