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An arsonist who lost conciousness after setting fire to a supermarket was released from a psychiatric unit prematurely, a court heard.
Richard Stent barricaded himself inside a manager’s office at Margate’s Tesco Express, setting it alight after threatening his father with a machete.
Emergency services swooped on the office and resuscitated the 33-year-old as firefighters fought the flames, the flats above were evacuated.
Stent pleaded guilty to arson in December last year for the March attack at the Canterbury Road store, where £18,000 of damage was caused.
Prosecutor Amy Nicholson said: “Police arrived at the store and the defendant became aware of the police presence and panicked.
“The defendant barricaded himself in the manager’s office and set fire from within.”
She added smoke could be seen pouring from beneath the door as flames began to spread within the room and Stent was rescued.
“His father voiced concerns that his son had been released (from a psychiatric unit) too early...”
“The defendant had to be revived - he received CPR to bring him around,” Miss Nicholson added.
Canterbury Crown Court heard Stent’s battle with mental illness deteriorated in the weeks before the drama unfolded.
Suffering mental illness and learning difficulties, the arsonist was released “too early” from a psychiatric unit, after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
“Police were informed the defendant had made threats to cut his father’s eyebrows and stab him.
“His father voiced concerns that his son had been released (from a psychiatric unit) too early,” the prosecutor added.
Sentencing Stent to a hospital order designed to safeguard the public, Judge Mark Weekes echoed his concerns.
Psychiatric reports revealed Stent suffers a significantly lower than average IQ, possible personality disorder, ADHD and previous cannabis addiction.
Doctors Tom Lavender and Emmanuella Akande advised the court to enforce a Section 41 Order on the patient for his and the public’s protection.
Section 41 of the Mental Health Act prevents a patient being discharged until the Ministry of Justice or tribunal agrees to the release. Once back in the community a number of restrictions will be imposed on the patient.
Following Stent’s arrest the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) levelled a charge of reckless arson where life is endangered.
Stent pleaded not guilty and was remanded in a psychiatric unit for about eight months.
“He didn’t intend to take others with him. This was an occasion where he tried to injure himself...”
But following medical evidence the CPS dropped the charge to arson, prompting Stent to plead guilty.
Mitigating, his barrister argued Stent, of Granville Street, Dover, had not been before the crown court and his mental health issues “are being addressed.”
“He didn’t intend to take others with him. This was an occasion where he tried to injure himself,” he added.
However Judge Weekes called it “concerning” after it was revealed Stent, aged 12, committed arson alongside two other children.
The trio posted burning paper through a family’s letterbox, the court heard.
Stent is lightly convicted with a handful of minor crimes dealt with by magistrates, defence lawyers said.
Judge Weekes sentenced Stent, who appeared in the dock alongside three hospital staff, to a Section 41 Order.
He remained passive throughout the hearing and commended staff involved in his treatment.
"They are a good team," he told Judge Weekes.
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