Shaun Dipper, pictured, was about to be evicted from his home in Hollywood Avenue, Marley Pots, when he started the blaze on May 19.

His next-door neighbours were at home when he set light to his rented property by pouring petrol on the sofa.

Former neighbour Denise Austin today spoke of her relief that Dipper is behind bars.

The 41-year-old mum-of-two, said: "He used to be up all night howling like a wolf on the canopy of his front door.

"He would play loud music, have lots of people round all the time and would weld cars at three in the morning. The night he was arrested was the best night's sleep I have had in ages."

Dipper, 39, admitted arson being reckless to whether life is endangered.

Prosecutor Andrew Walker told Newcastle Crown Court there had been a history of disputes between Dipper and his neighbours and he held a number of paranoid thoughts about them.

The court heard he had mental health problems which were worsened by his use of drugs and alcohol.

Immediately after the blaze, which extensively damaged his living room, Dipper handed himself in to police.

Defence barrister David Callan said Dipper had been using drink and drugs at the time of the incident but was now free of them.

Mr Callan said, despite some of Dipper's bizarre claims, he had been the victim of violence at the hands of his neighbours in the past.

Judge David Hodson said he accepted some of Dipper's claims were not based on paranoia.