An arsonist who set fire to a bed at a Bristol hostel has been sent to hospital so that his mental health can be assessed.

Martin Templeton was drunk and aggressive when he told another resident that he didn't like the person in one of the flats and was going to burn it down.

He attempted to carry out his threat in the early hours of June 9 last year when firefighters were called to the hostel in Filton Avenue for the third time that evening to extinguish a burning bed.

Templeton, 22, who is currently being treated in a mental health unit, has admitted arson.

Flanked by medical staff and wearing a kilt, he appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

His case was adjourned to December 5 for a medical report to be prepared.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told how Templeton caused fire fighters to attend the Filton Avenue property three times before he was arrested.

He said residents had noted the defendant was drunk and behaving in an erratic way in the communal area.

One resident, Tracey Shephard, had retired to her room in the loft when she heard the fire alarm go off for the first time.

Mr Shellard said the woman ran down stairs and found the defendant fiddling with the alarm box before firefighters arrived, found nothing wrong and left.

He said Ms Shephard went back to her room but just before 1am the alarm was activated again and she found Templeton downstairs saying that he would smash all the fire boxes in the premises.

She saw a fire had been lit in the garden which firefighters extinguished before warning the defendant the police would be involved if they were called again.

Mr Shellard said firefighters were called a third time an hour later.

He said Templeton had gone upstairs and told Ms Shephard he didn't like the person in one of the other flats and was going to burn it down.

The court heard that the woman was so alarmed she left and stayed the night with a friend.

Mr Shellard said a passing police officer then spotted smoke coming from a front window at 2am.

"The fire brigade were called for the third time and informed police of the erratic behaviour of Mr Templeton that evening. He was arrested and taken to the police station," said Mr Shellard.

He said the defendant had set fire to a bed and the mattress, frame and bedding were burning.

A doctor, called by Pushpangali Gohil, defending, said Templeton had had a psychotic illness, which was now under control, and was being treated for Asperger's syndrome, too.

The doctor said she feared the defendant could reoffend.

Adjourning the sentencing to December 5 and making a second temporary hospital order Judge James Tabor QC asked for a second doctor to provide a report to help him pass sentence.