A father-of-three torched the family home on his 35th wedding anniversary because he was upset that his wife was divorcing him.

Stewart Menzies was in the process of hanging himself in the blazing building when neighbours came to see what was happening on Sunday August 21 last year.

And fearing the local residents and any rescuers may get injured in the fire the 63-year-old accountant abandoned his suicidal plans and left the building.

The father of grown up children had put the dog and cat outside, made sure his daughter would be out for lunch and put the laptops of all of his grown up children in the garage.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said the offence was committed at the house on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, against the background of the marriage breakdown.

He told Swindon Crown Court Menzies’ wife Stephanie had sought a divorce, which he was unhappy with, and he made the decision to end it all on Sunday August 21.

“Mr Menzies decided to burn down the matrimonial home, indeed commit suicide and burn down the matrimonial home,” he said.

“He poured petrol round a number of different parts of the home. There were many different seats of the fire.

“Petrol slopped around the fire officer's report says. Five different seats: in the living room, dining room, bedrooms and study.

“There were three petrol cans and items soaked in petrol. The fire officer said it was the most obvious arson he had seen in his career.”

Mr Meeke said Menzies, covered in soot, then left the scene to report what he had done to the police only to be met by officers called to the scene on the way.

At the police station he admitted starting the blaze saying he had decided to end his life and destroy the marital home.

The court heard that he caused damage between £75,000 and £100,000 to the property but also destroyed clothing and other sentimental items belonging to his wife.

Menzies, of Tufnell Park, north London, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether damage was caused.

Charlotte O’Connor, defending, said her client had been diagnosed with depression a few weeks before the incident last summer.

She said he had no intention of harming anyone but himself which is why he ‘snapped out of it’ when he heard his neighbours outside.

She urged the court to put off passing sentence to allow Menzies time to be assessed for psychiatric treatment for his problems.

“This is a man who has worked hard all of his life and enjoyed a good family relationship for many years,” she said.

“He didn’t know how to deal with the breakdown and the loss of his life as he knew it. He does need help.”

Judge Douglas Field said he initially did not intend to put off passing sentence but after hearing the mitigation he had changed his mind.

He adjourned the case to Thursday May 31 so Menzies could be assessed for forensic psychotherapy at a London clinic.