A 48-YEAR-OLD man set fire to the mattress in his police cell to get attention because he was frightened that if he fell asleep he might die, a court heard.

Alfred Rebello, defending, told Blackburn magistrates that Leslie John Drew needed medication before he slept to prevent a build-up of acid that could kill him.

And after being arrested for being drunk and disorderly he took drastic measures to raise the alarm before sleep deprivation overtook him.

Drew, of Queen Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, and arson. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for six months and ordered to pay £85 compensation and £60 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Drew had originally been arrested near a phone box in Darwen town centre where a number of hoax bomb calls had been made from. He became abusive when spoken to by the police and was arrested.

"While in a cell he set fire to the mattress using a cigarette lighter," said Mr White. "He said he knew it would set off a fire alarm and believed the only person he would put in danger would be himself."