A DRUNKEN man who defecated in the kitchen of a house before starting two fires was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Oxford Crown Court today.

Adam Lydiatt, 22, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, had previously admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered by setting two fires at a property in Glamis Place in the town in February, while two people were in it.

They escaped unharmed.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said Lydiatt had let himself into the property using keys belonging to his uncle, who had moved out of the property a week before.

She said he was arrested at the scene. He told police he was returning keys and denied all involvement in the incident.

When a DNA test on the excrement proved it was Lydiatt’s, he confessed to police in an interview but could not answer why he had set the fires, insisting his “mind was blank”, Miss Olliver said.

Tony McGeorge, defending, said his client was of “borderline intelligence”.

Lydiatt also asked for two offences of setting fire to wheelie bins to be taken into consideration.

Judge Christopher Compston said both people may have died but a smoke alarm and said Lydiatt would face an indefinite sentence if there was a repeat.