An arsonist accused of using hand sanitiser to set fire to curtains in his B&B bedroom, where he’d been accommodated by a council, was jailed for two years.

Ex-prisoner Daniel Donoghue, aged 31, of no fixed address, admitted arson being reckless whether life would be endangered at Swn y Nant, Caernarfon Road, Bangor, last month.

He also pleaded guilty to common assault by headbutting Julia Harding, who ran the guest house, and criminal damage.

Caernarfon crown court heard he’d been shouting about getting his washing done before smoke was spotted.

Judge Nicola Jones said Donoghue had significant mental health difficulties including Asperger’s and a brain injury and had taken non-prescribed Valium.

In anger he started the blaze which could have spread to neighbouring rooms.

Donoghue had claimed it was a “revenge” attack but the judge accepted it was an impulsive, not planned, act.

Brian Treadwell, defending, said: "He doesn’t really know why this happened.”