A man who caused disruption by barricading himself into his
flat and setting it alight has been detained under the Mental
Health Act.

A judge at Maidstone Crown Court ruled 54-year-old Peter Twiddy
should be held "with restrictions" under section 41 of the act
after hearing psychiatric evidence.

It means he can be detained until doctors decide he is safe to
be released back into the community.

The court heard Twiddy's actions at his former home in Crescent
Road, Tunbridge Wells, on March 8 and 9 last year led to the
closure of a main road for 20 hours.

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Reporter Katie Lamborn on
the scene

Sentencing had been adjourned to today for the preparation of
medical reports.

Twiddy sat in the dock throughout the hearing flanked by mental
health staff.

This means that he can be detained until doctors decide he is
safe to be released back into the community.

The court heard that Twiddy's actions at his former home in
Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, on March 8 and 9 last year led
to the closure of a main road for 20 hours.

Residents in the area also had to be evacuated.

The 54-year-old, now of Woodbury Park Road, Tunbridge Wells,
admitted committing a public nuisance offence.

His not guilty pleas to damaging property, arson being reckless
as to whether life was endangered and affray were accepted by the
prosecution.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told an earlier hearing: "We accept he
did not booby trap the house but he made it difficult and dangerous
for the police to enter. He set up two barricades."

Sentencing had been adjourned to today for the preparation of
medical reports.

Twiddy sat in the dock throughout the hearing flanked by mental
health staff.