A neighbour from hell put lives at risk by setting fire to his flat after downing a shocking amount of booze.
Gary Williamson had been a repeated source of misery for those living in the same block, with regular reports of his anti-social behaviour.
He had been warned he would be booted out of his council flat if his alcohol and drug-fuelled misbehaviour didn't stop.
Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates
But on November 8 last year, after downing three-quarters of a bottle of vodka, four litres of cider and several cans of lager, he set fire to his home after saying he was going to kill himself.
A passing motorist saw flames coming out of the flat, part of a block of eight on Broxburn Close, in Wallsend, and alerted police.
The residents in the other flats, who were unaware of the danger they were in, were evacuated as the emergency services tackled the blaze.
Now Williamson, 55, who used to work in the fishing industry, has been jailed for three years and nine months after admitting arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Newcastle Crown Court heard North Tyneside Council had received numerous complaints about his anti-social behaviour since 2019.
Early last year, he was issued with a possession notice because of persistent breaches of his tenancy agreement and it was made clear he would lose his flat if his misbehaviour continued.
By that time, the council were getting calls about him almost every day.
On the morning of November 8, he was seen returning home at 7am having bought a bottle of vodka and cans of lager.
By early afternoon, having consumed a large amount of alcohol, he was texting the council saying he needed help.
He sent one message saying: "I will burn my house down. F*** them all. I'm done."
He also left a voicemail saying: "My head is all over the place, I'm going to burn my house."
Williamson sent a message to a friend repeating the arson threat.
He carried it out just before 3pm and the fire quickly took hold.
He was heard shouting for someone to call the fire brigade and he left his flat.
Williamson was seen standing outside with a bottle of cider in one hand and a can of lager in the other and had to be dragged away from the block. He made comments about wanting to kill himself.
The fire was so intense, the upstairs window popped and flames were coming out of it, the court heard.
Sentencing Williamson, Judge Paul Sloan QC said his actions had caused fear and financial loss to other residents.
He told him: "The incident had a marked impact on other residents in that block of flats.
"One retired lady describes being terrified and panic setting in when she saw the thick black smoke.
"She is fearful for her safety, knowing she and others could have been killed if they had not been evacuated in time.
"Multiple individuals were endangered."
Two seats of fire had been set and there was a high level of damage to the living room, kitchen, bathroom and loft and there was also damage to the bedroom and hallway.
The occupier of the flat below him had to be moved out due to damage caused by the water needed to put the fire out, which led to a ceiling collapsing.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "This is something that came out of a mental health crisis. He said he wanted to kill himself.
"He is remorseful and describes learning a lesson and that he is never going to set a fire again."
The court heard he had a traumatic childhood and was dependent on alcohol and abusing cannabis.
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest crime and court news in the North East
