Karl Poxon set fire to his own house and two belonging to his family members in just 14 minutes, heard Leicestershire Crown Court.

The 51-year-old man has been sentenced to a hospital order after the judge saw two psychological reports stating he was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time.

On 21 November 2025, Mr Poxon set his own home in Holywell Avenue on fire after dropping his son at work.

The court heard Poxon poured petrol at the bottom of the stairs before setting it on fire.

The three fires were tackled by local fire crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (Photo: SWNS)

His two daughters and other son were all home at the time, forcing his daughters to jump out a first-floor window, with all three escaping.

Poxon then drove to his brother's house in Prestop Drive, pouring petrol on the drive way and setting that alight.

His brother had already left the house but his wife and four children fled the fire.

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Poxon then drove to his sister's house in Clifton Drive, pouring petrol on the front of the house and setting the third fire. Both his sister and her partner escaped safely.

After this, the emergency services reached all three properties and Poxon fled, reaching 103 mph and causing drivers to take evasive action.

Poxon set fire to three homes using petrol as an accellerant (Photo: SWNS)

He then crashed into a police car on the A15 in Lincolnshire that was blocking his way and he was arrested for three counts of arson with intent to endanger life and one count of dangerous driving.

However, Mr Poxon was deemed unable to stand trial earlier this year by psychiatrists and instead the court heard from Dr Hrishikesh Nache from the Arnold Lodge Mental Health Facility, who said Poxon suffered from a psychotic illness.

Dr Nache recommended a hospital order was put in place, and Judge Willliam Harbage KC impose a hospital order on Poxon under section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a restriction order under Section 41.