A MAN who burst into the home of strangers and set fire to a downstairs bathroom after taking a ‘legal high’ has been remanded in custody.

Ashley Lane admitted offences connected with the bizarre behaviour which happened at lunchtime on Sunday, January 1 year.

The 25-year-old, who had been seen acting strangely on Hollins Moor in Liden, knocked on the door of the detached house at 12.45pm.

When the householder answered the door Lane burst into the building and locked himself in the toilet and started a fire in there.

Now a judge has adjourned a case so a psychologist can prepare a report on him before he is sentenced.

Martin Wiggins, defending, said “A psychiatric report is already under way.

“The psychiatrist thinks it is better if a psychological report is done.

“It will have to look at the affect of the legal high he had ingested that day.”

Lane, of Manchester Road, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and criminal damage.

He damaged a toilet cistern and circular mirror, punched holes in the ceiling and bent a towel rail.

Judge Douglas Field, sitting at Swindon Crown Court, adjourned the case to Friday, April 26, and remanded Lane in custody until then.

Ray Herring, 60, and his partner Jackie, 51, were at home when Lane came to the door on New Year’s Day.

After bursting into the house he locked himself in the bathroom and used a lighter to set fire to the blind.

Police and the fire brigade were called to the scene and he fled the house before being arrested nearby at the end of the couple’s half-hour ordeal.