London, Nov 30 A man who went to the police station to confess to having committed arson was given lager by the officers to calm him down.

The story revealed at the Swansea Crown Court was that Jason Wallace, 26, had set fire to a flat, as the occupant owed him money, and then gone to the city's main police station to confess.

While he was at the police station he became worked up and officers had to ask a doctor for advice. The doctor told them to serve Wallace lager to lessen the withdrawal symptoms of coming off a massive drinking spree.

When Wallace arrived in court he smelt strongly of alcohol, and when he was questioned, he revealed that he had downed nine litres of cider.

"Wonders will never cease. Does this mean that if you turn up at a police station and ask for alcohol you might get a drink?" the Telegraph quoted Judge Gerald Price as saying.

Judge Price also said that arson was a "grave offence" and a prison sentence was inevitable.

"Fires can easily spread," he added. (ANI)