A MAN has been imprisoned for two-and-a-half years for arson after setting fire to his mother's home in a suicide bid.

Michael Bernard Jackson, 56, of Stones Manor Lane, Hartford, had fallen on hard times when he moved into his elderly mother's house in 2002.

Linda Oldham, prosecuting, told Chester Crown Court Jackson had begun drinking heavily before falling out with his mother, Gladys Jackson, 81. She said Mrs Jackson regretted 'helping him out' when Jackson became abusive, shouting and swearing and sometimes being violent.

Miss Oldham said: 'Her friends stopped visiting because of his behaviour, she stopped going out and locked

herself in her room for most of the time. Her brother, Kenneth Royal, became concerned for her but she didn't like to complain.

'Mrs Jackson had relied on her son to help her with her meals but he neglected her and she became so ill and lost so much weight she was admitted to hospital.'

When Mrs Jackson was well enough to be discharged she was so afraid of Jackson she decided to go into a nursing home rather than return to her house. Mr Royal became concerned about the property after being told Jackson had destroyed the cooker, leaving it to catch fire.

He took out an injunction to have Jackson evicted.

Miss Oldham said that when Jackson was told about the order, he became desperate, not knowing what to do. In a police interview he explained he stacked up a pile of cushions which he set light to using engine oil and vegetable oil. He said he had intended to hang himself, and police confirmed they found a rope.

Duncan Bould, defending, said character references 'painted a very different picture' of who Jackson was.

He said: 'They show a kind, generous, hard-working man

who had a positive relation-ship with his mother. He worked hard throughout his life but had fallen into difficulties, especially financially.'

Mr Bould said Jackson had fallen into depression in the few days prior to the offence.

He said Jackson had a background of alcohol abuse and at the time he had seriously considered taking his own life.

Miss Oldham added when the fire started it was Jackson who contacted the fire brigade, and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC sentenced Jackson to two-and-a-half years, of which he would have to serve at least 13 months before being allowed to apply for parole.