A FATHER-of-two who smashed his way into a friend's house set the place on fire with a lit cigarette.

Burnley Magistrates heard how victim David Roberts had 'gone away' after receiving threatening text messages but returned to find a window broken, the house blackened and property missing.

Christopher Paul Varley, 37, admitted burglary and arson before December 1. His solicitor told the court he had discovered a relative of Mr Roberts' had allegedly given a schoolgirl drugs and persuaded her to perfom a sex act on him.

Mr Roberts had had nothing to do with that, but the defendant was upset he had not said anything and had gone to speak to him.

Varley, of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, was bailed until February 7 for a pre-sentence report and the bench said they were not ruling out the possibility of committing him to the crown court for sentence.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said the fire had caused extensive damage to a chair and electrical equipment at Mr Roberts' Whiteoak Place home, Nelson. The property was smoke damaged and some items had been stolen.

The defendant was arrested, admitted he broke in through the front window and said he had had a look around. He claimed he then sat down and had some beer and a smoke. Varley told officers he left and when he realised there was a fire he did not call the fire brigade.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Varley had no previous convictions. He regarded Mr Roberts as a friend and after hearing the allegations made by the girl against the victim's relative was upset.

He sat in the house waiting for Mr Roberts to return, had a cigarette and dozed off. A cigarette must have slipped down the side of the chair and set it on fire. Varley took two magazines with him he had been reading.

Mr Taylor said Varley did not go round to attack Mr Roberts and had not gone armed. He went on: "The defendant simply went round to speak to him but it turned into a complete disaster for him."