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Troubled Richard Parkin, aged 37, of Wheatfield Crescent, Shiregreen, Sheffield, had set fire to his home after drinking whisky, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Louise Gallagher, prosecuting, told the hearing on August 25: “Paul Williamson who lives across the road from the defendant heard the sound of a smoke alarm.”

Mr Williamson saw smoke coming from Parkin’s home and went inside and asked his partner to call the fire service, according to Ms Gallagher.

A hero neighbour helped firefighters rescue an arsonist who set fire to his own home on Wheatfield Crescent, Shiregreen, Sheffield.

Ms Gallagher added: “He grabbed a coat, doused it with water and went back upstairs and the landing was filled with black smoke and the rest of the house was engulfed in fire.

"The fire was in the children’s bedroom and he could hear it roaring and he shouted the defendant’s name and said, ‘Get out, your house is on fire’.”

Ms Gallagher added Mr Williamson heard someone and crawled along the hallway but it was pitch black with smoke so he retreated as firefighters arrived.

Mr Williamson told firefighters Parkin was in the front bedroom and the defendant was carried out unconscious, according to Ms Gallagher.

An arsonist has been given a 16-month custodial sentence suspended for two years at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he set fire to his own home.

The court heard Parkin had been distressed about a family matter and had alcohol issues and had been in hospital with a suspected overdose, according to the court.

Parkin said he could not remember what happened but he had been drinking whisky and had been unconscious.

The fire service stated there was evidence of a deliberate ignition.

Rebecca Tanner, defending, said: “This is a sad case but what comes out of it is an entirely different man who presents himself before the court this afternoon.”

Parkin, who has no previous convictions, admitted causing arson as to being reckless whether life was endangered after the incident in March, 2018.

Judge Sarah Wright told Parkin: “One of your neighbours put his life at risk to try and save you. I recognise his selfless courage for trying to do so and award him £500 from public funds.”

Parkin was sentenced to 16-months of custody suspended for two years with alcohol and rehabilitation requirements.

Judge praises hero neighbour for helping to save an arsonist from a house fire in Sheffield