A MAN has admitted setting fire to a plane at an airport - after using a plank of wood to breach security.

Safet Bukoshi used the makeshift ramp to climb a fence at Glasgow Airport and torch the British Midlands holiday jet in January 2005.

He later said he'd done it after receiving a message from Archangel Gabriel.

Fire crews raced to the scene and were luckily able to prevent a "catastrophic" blaze.

The 36-year-old Albanian was eventually arrested after a bunch of plastic roses he had taken from his flat were discovered at the scene.

Bukoshi yesterday admitted to culpably and recklessly setting fire to the plane and a charge under the Aviation Security Act at the High Court in Glasgow.

It emerged he had been jailed for arson previously in Ireland for torching a Ferrari.

The court heard Bukoshi drove in a borrowed BMW to Glasgow Airport around 3am on January 22 2005 from his flat in the city's Garnethill.

Hugh Irwin, prosecuting, said he was seen travelling the M8 with a plank of wood strapped to the driver's side.

Airport CCTV showed him parking at a perimeter fence around 3.55am.

Mr Irwin said: "It appears that shortly prior to 4.10am, the accused scaled the fence using the plank."

Bukoshi, carrying a bag, then ran towards the stand where the 50-seater BMI Embraer plane.

The advocate depute said: "Within a few minutes, the accused was seen running back towards the fence - this time empty handed.

"The witnesses quickly realised that the aircraft at stand 31 was on fire."

Bricklayer Bukoshi used the wood to get back over the fence and sped off in his BMW.

The blaze was quickly extinguished, leaving a repair bill of £103,000 and Bukoshi fled to the Republic of Ireland.

Peter Gray, defending, said the dad-of-four had "delusional beliefs" and had set fire to the plane after receiving a message from the Archangel Gabriel.

Judge Lady Dorrian ordered that Bukoshi remain at the State Hospital in Carstairs.

She adjourned the case until next month for reports.