AN arsonist who torched furniture at a psychiatric hospital in a bid to get himself admitted was jailed today (Friday) for one year.

Mark Archibald, 33, of Essex Square, Harnham, admitted setting fire to two notice boards and a chair in the foyer of Beechlydene ward at Fountain Way, Salisbury.

Archibald, who has a long history of mental health problems, has already spend around six months in custody over the offence.

The court asked doctors for up-to-date psychiatric reports when Archibald last appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on April 2.

Today the judge ruled that he could not section him under the mental health act because the decision did not have the legally-required backing of two psychiatrists.

Judge Barnett said: "You have had an awful lot of mental health problems to deal with.

"Had [doctors] suggested a hospital order, I may well have taken that.

"But two out of three say no you are not suitable for a hospital order."

The judge added:"I have to punish you for that offence. Prison is the only thing I can do."

The court heard Archibald went to Beechleydene on February 18, 2014, seeking to be admitted amid fears he was not safe.

When staff were not prepared to admit him, Archibald shouted abuse before setting a notice board ablaze, threatening to set fire to anyone who came near him.

Five minutes later, he torched another notice board, filling the foyer with smoke.

Officers arrested him and he admitted the arson, but said he had not meant to hurt anyone.

He said: "I did it to get heard."

In a letter to the judge, Archibald said: "Going to prison has given me a wake up call."

Sentencing Archibald to one year imprisonment, the judge said: "Your six months on remand will count. That effectively means you will be released in the very near future.

"I hope you have the good sense to keep taking the help you get from the community and keep taking your tablets."