A TEENAGER started a fire in his room because he felt he was being victimised, a court heard.

The 16-year-old disappeared to his room in a Worcester care home after a meeting with his case worker, the city's magistrates heard yesterday.

Mike Cowley, prosecuting, said the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, barricaded himself into his room.

"The fire alarm was activated and there was a large volume of smoke coming from his room," he said.

He said two members of staff went into the room and dragged him out. Police arrested him at another care home and he admitted damaging property, by fire, belonging to social services.

Nick Roberts, defending, said the youth had been in care since 1997 and had been the victim of domestic violence.

He said his lack of family had had a big impact on his behaviour.

"He had been arrested the night before the incident for a breach of the peace, and he felt victimised because he felt others should have been dealt with," said Mr Roberts.

"He became very emotional on his return to the home."

He said the youth went to his room and set fire to a bottle of aftershave, and then lit some paper which he could not put out.

Magistrates referred him to the Youth Offending Team for four months.