Arsonist in ladies clothing attacked landlord with knife
A MAN who set fire to his home and later threatened his landlord with a knife while wearing women’s clothing, has been detained indefinitely at a secure psychiatric unit.
Paul Mark Hughes, whose address was given as the Ty Llywelyn secure unit, Bryn y Neuadd Hospital, Llanfairfechan, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of arson and unlawful wounding.
Elen Owen, prosecuting at the sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court, outlined how Hughes had called the emergency services on the evening of February 22, 2016, reporting that he had set his house at 44 Llaneilian Road, Amlwch, on fire.
When firefighters and police arrived, the now 34-year-old said he had set a mattress on fire using turpentine and a lighter, but had ensured no-one was at home next door and had also turned off the gas.
Described as ‘confused’, Hughes also told officers he could hear ‘voices in his head.’ As a result, he was admitted to Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Hergest mental health unit, having caused £13,000 worth of damage to the house.
Upon his release from hospital, he moved in with Jason Michalak, at Craig y Don, Llandudno, having befriended him while in hospital.
But the court heard that after Mr Michalak warned Hughes about his drug use, threatening to kick him out, events took another turn.
Shortly after 4pm, on December 9, last year, Michalak was awoken by Hughes who said he was leaving. But just minutes later, Michalak recalled being woken once again to the sight of Hughes (pictured above) wearing women’s clothing and makeup, branding a knife as he squirted him in the face with some sort of liquid.
Telling Mr Michalak: “How dare you kick me out,” he hit him on the head with the knife before trying to stab him twice, striking him on his left arm and chest.
Mr Michalak said Hughes had “just lost it”, adding he was “terrified,” luckily managing to escape to the safety of a nearby shop.
Hughes was later discovered hiding in a neighbour’s home, having caused damage worth £8,142 to her Christmas tree and decorations and a cabinet containing various ornaments. His behaviour was described as “aggressive” with police officers having to taser Hughes to restrain him. A psychiatric report on Hughes noted he has ‘schizophrenic tendencies’, adding he suffers from hallucinogenic thoughts and delusional beliefs.
Hughes also has a keen interest in voodoo magic and a belief that the world will end, the court was told.
Judge Huw Rees, saying that under normal circumstances that an immediate custodial sentence would be the only option, referred to Hughes’ previous conviction for arson for which he was jailed for 42 months in 2004, having set fire to an empty flat in Sheffield. Hughes had also been convicted of three burglaries.
“Given the evidence presented today, I’m satisfied on both counts considering the background and previous offences as well as the risk of further offences, that an indefinite restriction order and hospital should be implemented,” said Judge Rees.
Hughes will remain at Ty Llywelyn for an indefinite period.