A BOY of 14 who torched the home of a lonely alcoholic has been caged for six years.

Tearaway Edward Hutchinson was living a feral existence' when he targeted the home of 35-year-old Damian Heyslop in Beaufort Street, Nelson, on August 29 last year, Preston Crown Court was told.

Hutchinson had resolved to drive problem drinker Mr Heyslop from his home after the youngster fell out with him, the court heard.

Four days earlier the teenager had thrown a fridge door through a window at Mr Heyslop's home. The victim was upset at the damage and told Salvation Army volunteers that he just wanted to be left alone to live a quiet life.

Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC agreed to lift reporting restrictions in Hutchinson's case because he believed it was in the public interest.

Prosecutor Sarah Dodd said the defendant and a girl had gone to his home to shelter from the rain. But while there Hutchinson set two fires - the most serious in the lounge.

Mr Heyslop had probably been asleep at the time and sought refuge by lying in a bath of water, having tried to escape.

He died from carbon monoxide poisoning, but burns were also found on his body.

Miss Dodd added: "It is believed by those who conducted the fire investigation that Mr Heyslop, aware of the fire, tried to escape through a second rear bedroom.

"The window had been opened, but he clearly could not get out of that room.

"It is believed he then sought refuge in the bathroom, closing the door and lying in a bath of water. He died there from carbon monoxide toxicity."

Hutchinson, now 15, who also lives in Beaufort Street, Nelson, admitted manslaughter and a separate offence of attempted robbery.

The court was told it seemed Mr Heyslop's only support had been from carers at the Salvation Army centre in Nelson.

Miss Dodd said on August 25 Mr Heyslop had been drinking at home with the defendant's elder brother Eric and another man.

Hutchinson joined them but an argument ensued between the two brothers. The defendant went on to throw a fridge door through a ground floor window.

The attempted robbery offence was carried out about 48 hours earlier, on August 27. A man was approached by Hutchinson and an accomplice on Brunswick Street.

Repeated demands were made for his watch and cash and he was struck with a metal rod. He had committed burglary and theft in the past.

Defence counsel Anthony Cross QC said:"This is a young man who is extremely remorseful for his actions.

"From the age of 12, if not a little earlier, he had lived a feral existence, beyond the control of his mother, whom he sadly treated with contempt, and beyond the control of a sick father.

"Even though they attempted to keep him in the house, he would escape. From a very young age, possible as young as 11, he was taking cannabis and graduating to cocaine and to ecstasy and then on to alcohol. He was selling cigarettes for money in order to obtain drugs.

"It will really probably come as no surprise that he was sooner rather than later to commit serious offences. Sadly for Mr Heyslop and society, that was one of manslaughter."

Mr Cross said his client's time on remadn had provided some structure to his life and he had made improvements.

Passing sentence, Judge Russell QC, told Hutchinson: "It is clear to me you and others adopted an intolerant attitude to him (Heyslop) and decided to make his life a misery. You wished to drive him from the area.

"It is intolerance towards those who don't fit in which is an alarming feature of current society, particularly when it leads to violent crime.

"He must have suffered a horrible death as a result of your actions".

Det Insp Pete Broome, said after the hearing: "This was a tragic case from the outset because there appears to be no reason for Damien Heyslop being killed in the manner in which he was.

"We know he led something of a chaotic lifestyle and we know he drank a lot and got into arguments.

"But there is no evidence to suggest he had rowed with Hutchinson on the night of his death. What Hutchinson did was both violent and cowardly and he is now paying the penalty for those actions for which he has shown no remorse whatsoever.

"Mr Heyslop's death was senseless, the victim of a violent young man with seemingly little purpose in life."

He also praised the dignity with which Mr Heyslop's family had dealt with the case - and that the sentence offered some degree of comfort to them.

Mr Heyslop had also been the victim of a violent unprovoked attack in Hibson Street, Nelson, just weeks before his death.

He was set upon by a couple outside the Station Hotel and was so badly beaten that he required plastic surgery for a facial injury.