A MAN who torched a pensioner's home in the early hours as she slept did it for no apparent reason, a court heard.

Kevin Forrest, 37, smashed a window at the woman's Blackburn ground floor flat, leaned in and set fire to her curtains, causing extensive smoke damage. The victim, who heard the sound of breaking glass, immediately 'phoned the police and was led to safety as the blaze was put out.

Forrest, whose barrister urged probation would be better in the long-term for society and the defendant, was bailed until April 27 to Preston Crown Court, to look into the possibilities of an order with conditions of psychiatric treatment. A judge stressed he was keeping his mind entirely open as to what the sentence would be.

Recorder Timothy Ryder said the offence was motiveless and the problem with that was the risk of repetition. He added Forrest, who needed treatment may have been driven to what he did by depression or it may have been a cry for help.

Forrest, of Bombay Street, Blackburn, had earlier admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said the victim had mobility problems and had a phone by her bed. After she called police, officers saw a man standing a few yards away and he was immediately recognised.

The defendant said he had done nothing and said he had just come from a club. After police saw the broken window, Forrest was spoken to again and this time said he had been going to a garage. He was taken to the police station because of his suspicious behaviour.

Mr Donnelly said glass samples on Forrest's jacket were compared to some from the broken window and were found to be indistinguishable. When he was interviewed, the defendant denied any involvement in the offence and said he knew nothing of a broken window.

Richard Bennett, defending, said Forrest had disadvantages in life. His mother had died in 1974, and that still affected him. He had not intended to harm anybody and thankfully nobody was hurt, but that was more by good fortune than anything else.