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A SUICIDAL man changed his mind when he tried to gas himself – but then lit a cigarette and accidentally blew himself up.

Ian Noll, 39, rigged up a gas canister in a car to drive to a beauty spot to kill himself. A court yesterday heard he had a change of heart, but forgot to turn off the canister – filling the car with explosive gas.

Noll lit a cigarette, igniting the car into a ball of flame.

Prosecutor Mike Hammett said: “It seems it was not intended to blow up the car. It seems he had a change of heart and lit the cigarette.”

Mr Hammett said the explosion was so loud that people from a local rugby club heard the bang.

He said: “They rushed to help because he was badly burned.”

Noll, originally from Porthcawl, but now of Garth Villas, Merthyr Tydfil, was taken to hospital to be treated for severe burns to his hands and face.

Mr Lawrence Jones, for Noll, said: “He did not intend to blow himself up and I am assured he will not try to do it again.”

Jobless Noll admitted taking his brother’s car without consent for his suicide attempt. He also admitted arson at Newport Crown Court.

Judge Roderick Denyer said: “I fully accept this was not a deliberate attempt of arson.

“Your father has provided you with somewhere to live and I accept you no longer feel suicidal.”

Noll was given a 12 months community order and was ordered to complete an enhanced thinking skills course. His licence was endorsed for taking a vehicle without consent.