POLICE have charged a man after a 30-year-old was discovered engulfed in flames in the front garden of his own home.

Kevin Howe, 19, of Cheesmond Avenue, Bishop Auckland, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court this morning (Tuesday, May 28) charged with encouraging another to commit an indictable offence, which is arson with intent to endanger life.

Magistrates granted him bail and he is due back in court on Tuesday, June 4.

Stephen Walker was found on fire by a policeman patrolling the Woodhouse Close Estate, at about 8pm on Sunday, May 26.

Police say he remains “very poorly” after suffering significant burns in the incident in Walker Drive. He is being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle.

A joint investigation between Durham Police and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has been launched to determine exactly what happened at the weekend.

Three fire engines were called to the scene and crews had to extinguish a small blaze in the ground floor of the property.

The distressing scene was witnessed by a number of neighbours and children in the street at the time.

Witnesses to the incident, or anyone with any further information, are asked to call Durham Police on 101.