A TROUBLED man said to have been part of a gang that torched a lorry while the driver was in his cab could be facing jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Bennison, 20, set fire to cardboard within the wagon, before driver Ian Gemmell was alerted to what had happened by the group.

Bennison, of Riverside View, Clayton-le-Moors, had admitted arson being reckless as to whether the life of Mr Gemmell was endangered, last July 1.

The defendant, said to have a psychiatric history, was bailed to await sentence in about six weeks, after pre-sentence and medical reports are prepared.

He must live at his home address, observe a curfew between midnight and 8am, report to Accrington police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and not contact witnesses.

Recorder Alan Conrad, QC, warned Bennison all sentencing options were open, including jail.

He said: "There is a very real possibility of a custodial sentence for such a serious offence."