A 54-year-old unemployed man was arrested in Lousã for setting his house on fire and leaving it to burn, before attending a football match on Sunday between Benfica and Porto Football Club.
The man, who had a record for arson and had already been hospitalised in a mental institution, said the reason for his actions was to draw attention to his economic and emotional plight.
He had already asked for help from the local authority to pay some electricity bills but this was not forthcoming. This was his ultimate cry for help.
He appeared in court on Tuesday 15 to be judged for his reckless behaviour.
