AN EXPLOSION that ripped through a Newport home causing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage was the result of a suicide attempt by an alcoholic on his 50th birthday, a court has heard.

William Flindell suffered 58 percent burns to his body in the George Street blaze in April last year, and remained in hospital for two months to receive treatment for his injuries.

Flindell, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson and being reckless as to whether life is endangered at Cardiff Crown Court.

At the time, a jury was directed to find him not-guilty of a second charge, of arson with intent to endanger life - which he had denied - due to a lack of prosecution evidence.

Flindell appeared at Newport Crown Court, over the the blast on April 2, 2016, today.

Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, said it had caused around £220,000 worth of damage, and a further £8,000 in rent losses.

The court heard that Flindell had been drinking heavily when, in an attempt to end his life, he unscrewed a gas valve from a gas meter in his home and lit it using a lighter.

In the ambulance afterwards, the court was told he had said “I was supposed to die. Sorry, I should be dead”.

Sarah Waters, defending, called consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Stephen Attwood to answer questions about a report on Flindell’s mental health, and whether he should be considered “dangerous”.

The doctor said that Flindell had been an alcoholic for around 30 years and that his GP reduced the dose of his prescribed antidepressants around the time of the offence.

His report determined that Flindell had no “pathological interest” or history in setting fires and outlined a preferred programme of treatment including antidepressants, therapy and treatment for alcoholism.

The “nature of (Flindell’s) injuries have made him more depressed”, he added as his “hands are functionless”, from being “at the centre of the fire ball”. He also said Flindell was “not psychotic at any stage”.

The judge, Michael Fitton QC, counsel, and the doctor discussed the suitability of mental health orders in lieu of a jail sentence, including a “hybrid order” which would allow Flindell serve his sentence in both hospital and prison.

The judge said Flindell had a “significant level of culpability (for the offence) but this was against a background of mental illness”.

Flindell will be sentenced next week.