David Pearson, aged 40, is alleged to have set fire to the lounge of his home in Dallington Haven, a sheltered housing complex in Warren Road, Dallington, at 5.30pm on Monday, July 16.

Firefighters from The Mounts, Mereway and Moulton stations were called out to deal with the blaze after initial reports said Pearson was trapped inside the two-storey building.

He has been held in custody since his arrest. On Monday he appeared at Northampton Crown Court facing charges of arson with intent to endanger life and an alternative of reckless arson.

Judge Phillip Head did not require him to enter pleas to the charges after hearing there was now a question of weather Pearson was mentally fit to plead.

The prosecution alleges that Pearson – who wore a grey sweatshirt and purple tracksuit bottoms for the short hearing – set fire to the property and then called police to inform them.

He then left the sheltered housing complex and went to Campbell Square Police Station where he allegedly said: "It's because ghosts were raping me."

Matthew Maynard, prosecuting, told the judge how there were mental health issues to the case and Pearson would have to undergo assessment by a psychiatrist to discover if he was fit to enter a plea.

If he is found to be mentally ill, a jury will then decide at a special hearing if he was legally responsible for the fire.

Steven Evans, defending, made no application for bail and Pearson, who only spoke to confirm his name, was further remanded in custody until early October.