A MAN has admitted setting fire to his neighbours’ bins and fencing using a creme brulee torch.

Bolton magistrates heard how, over a month-long period starting on July 1 last year Glenn Brooks set fire to bins, a fence and a garage door belonging to people living near his home in Dixon Street, Westhoughton.

Joseph Haughton, prosecuting, told how the first bin, belonging to Lisa Andreson, was set alight on July 1 and, after the remnants were moved to the back of a garage, it was set on fire again two weeks later and then a further wheelie ben was targeted on July 19.

On July 24 Brooks was caught on CCTV setting fire to another neighbour's fence and then between August 2 and 5 he set fire to the contents of a skip at The Mangrove restaurant.

MORE FROM COURT: Helicopter laser lout

"The defendant admitted these offences and accepted that he used paper and a creme brulee torch to ignite the fires," said Mr Haughton, who added that Brooks also sometimes used Swarfega as an accelerant and, on one occasion threw a deodorant can and batteries into the blaze.

Sam Martin, defending, asked for a psychological report to be produced.

"He has an autistic spectrum disorder and if he becomes particularly fixated on doing something thereafter, he becomes obsessed," said Mr Martin.

MORE FROM COURT: Woman spat at police

Magistrates decided the offences are so serious that the case should be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court, where Brooks will next appear on April 7.

Brooks last appeared there in December last year where he was sentenced to a three-year community order for downloading indecent images of children.