Simon Randal was found at the scene chatting to firefighters who had extinguished the blaze he started on October 5 last year after setting fire to paper in three different bins which caused £1,400 worth of damage.

The 39-year-old then raised the alarm himself – calling emergency services – before he was later detained and found with a lighter and cigarettes.

He told police “If I did it I don’t remember”.

Last week he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court after previously admitting the offence.

Prosecutor Malcolm Macleod said fire crews were initially alerted after passers by saw smoke coming from the bin shed at around 1am.

He told the court: “They called 999 and shortly thereafter a second 999 call was received by the fire service. It appears that this was from the accused.

“The fire service attended within some three minutes of receiving the call and thereafter the police attended.” Fire crews then extinguished the blaze and the police saw Randal speaking to the firefighters.

Mr Macleod added: “He told them that he had seen the fire whilst out walking and had contacted the fire service.” Firefighters concluded that the blaze had been started deliberately and cops then spoke to Randal.

Mr Macleod said: “At that point they noted his version of events was vague and they had the impression he was being evasive so they asked him to stay at the locus.” Police then checked CCTV of the scene and saw that a person matching Randal’s description had entered the bin shed and remained there for over six minutes before leaving before smoke started coming out of the bin shed.

Randal, of Dennistoun Crescent, was detained by police and found to have a blue lighter and cigarettes on him.

Officers also checked his mobile phone and it was discovered that he had contacted 999.

He was later interviewed and said he had consumed between 10-12 cans of cider on top of his anti-depressants on the evening prior to him setting the fire.

He was cautioned and charged and told police “If I did I don’t remember”.

Brian McGuire, defending, said it was somewhat ‘bizarre’ that a 39-year-old man who had previously lived a respectable life had now found himself in court in connection with a fire raising incident.

He added that prior to the incident Randal’s mental health had deteriorated but stressed that nearly a year had gone by now without any further offending.

Mr McGuire said: “At that stage things were completely out of control and he was struggling greatly to cope.” Sheriff John Rafferty said: “What you did on October 5 was you left your house after consuming so much alcohol that you capably and recklessly set fire to a bin shed in the school causing considerable damage and causing a potential risk to life.

“You inconvenienced the fire service and the police service and there was a considerable cost probably associated with that.” However, Randal’s previous good character and his early admission of guilt counted in his favour, and he was placed on a community payback order which requires him to be under supervision for two years and carry out 200 hours unpaid work.