AN INNERLEITHEN man who admitted setting fire to his own house with a blow torch during a stand-off with police has been placed on supervision for the next three years at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Paul Hay pleaded guilty to the breach of the peace at the property in Horsburgh Street, September 30.
The 51-year-old self-employed roofer admitted shouting and swearing, threatening others with violence, setting fire to the stairs, brandishing a crowbar, can of petrol and two blow torches as well as throwing items from the house and threatening to kill police officers.
Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said a build-up of pressures over the past 12 months got on top of his client.
He said he had been in custody since September 30.
Sheriff Peter Paterson said the supervision order was a direct alternative to a prison sentence.
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