A drug addict has been jailed for 18 months after a botched attempt to torch his neighbour's front door in a block of flats.
David Stewart, who claimed to be "hearing voices", tried to set fire to a pair of boxer shorts on the landing.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard that his neighbour jumped out of bed and chased him away before any damage could be caused.
Stewart, 42, admitted attempted fire-raising at the flat in Hutchison Place, Coatbridge, on July 9 this year while on bail for other offences.
He also admitted carrying a knife in public.
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Flora McCamley, prosecuting, said Stewart lived downstairs from an 18-year-old female and her dad.
Ms McCamley told the court: "Around 9am the daughter became aware of Stewart outside her flat. He was talking to himself, and this went on for about 30 minutes.
"She checked Ring doorbell footage and observed Stewart walking towards her front door, stating 'Here we go'.
"He placed a pair of boxer shorts on the blade of a kitchen knife and attempted to set fire to them with a lighter.
"The young woman alerted her father, who was asleep following a night shift.
"He went to the door and effectively chased Stewart away.
"It appears the fire didn't catch properly and there was no damage to the door."
Defence lawyer Mark Lutton said a doctor had examined his client, who was fit to plead despite reporting that he had been "hearing voices". He appeared to be "paranoid".
Mr Lutton told the court: "He has a significant drug dependency and was taking a cocktail of heroin, cocaine and valium.
"He was under the influence of drugs at the time of this offence. The potential danger is clear, but it was a pathetic attempt and, thankfully, the fire didn't catch."
Sheriff Tony McGlennan described Stewart's actions as "despicable" but accepted his drug-induced state had "somewhat affected his reasoning".
The sheriff told him: "Had the execution been better, there would have been a considerable risk of injury or even death.
"It's important for the public to see that the courts seek to deter this kind of offending."
Sheriff McGlennan said the crime merited a 27-month prison sentence, but this would be cut to 18 months because of Stewart's early guilty pleas.
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