A man thought to have a grudge against a couple who asked him to leave their home days earlier sought revenge by starting a fire at the property, a court was told.

The couple, who were unable to flee the house in Coundon Grange once the blaze took hold, had to seek sanctuary in their bathroom, awaiting the arrival of the fire brigade before they could be led to safety.

Durham Crown Court heard the incident happened in the early hours of April 28 this year, only a few weeks after the householders moved into the property in Cumberland Street.

Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said the couple had spent the previous few weeks renovating the house and had a number of DIY items blocking the back entrance while the work was taking place.

Miss Anderson said in the short time they had been there, defendant Michael Hodgson had visited the house, but the couple had asked him to leave after a while, and so, she said, there may have been some, “bad feeling" on his behalf.The Northern Echo: Michael Hodgson admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered

At about 3am on April 28 a banging noise awoke the couple and Hodgson could be heard saying: “Let me in,” as he shouted abusively.

Miss Anderson said Hodgson kicked at a glass panel in the front door, causing it to smash, before using a lighter to set fire to the door, itself.

It resulted in a curtain, being used as a draught-excluder just inside, igniting.

Hodgson, who had a lighter in his hand, was seen running away as the hallway became engulfed in smoke.

Miss Anderson said as exiting either by the front or back door was impossible, the couple remained in the safety of their bathroom until the arrival of the fire brigade.

When he was arrested Hodgson denied responsibility for the fire and said he had last seen the couple two days earlier.

He said that as far as he was aware there were no issues between them, even though he was previously asked to leave.

Hodgson claimed to have been at the home of an ex-partner at the time, but a forensic match was established as the clothing he had been wearing at the time was recovered and shards of glass from the shattered window panel were found on the legs of his joggers.

Miss Anderson said this provided “strong support” that he was responsible for breaking the glass panel.

The court heard that the incident had a “significant” impact on the couple, the female of whom had suffered nightmares and flashbacks since the night of the fire.

Hodgson, 44, of Kimberley Street, Coundon Grange, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, but only on the day of his scheduled trial.

He was said to have 43 convictions for 94 offences on his record.

Tabitha Buck, in mitigation, said none of those past offences was for anything of a similar nature.

She conceded that while it is, “a significant” record, it is made up of mostly acquisitive crime and offences against the person, usually fuelled by alcohol, but she said it does not, “follow a pattern” of similar behaviour by him.

Miss Buck said: “He knows he’s going to be spending a lengthy period of time in custody.

“If managed in that time it could help to reduce his alcohol and substance misuse in future.”

She pointed to gaps in the defendant’s offending where he had led, “a law-abiding life”.

“On this occasion, he lapsed into taking drugs again after the end of a relationship," added Miss Buck.

Judge James Adkin said there appeared to have been “some sort of disagreement” between the couple and Hodgson a few days before the incident.

He said it was “fortunate” the fire brigade was called and got to the house promptly as the couple were, effectively, “trapped in” and were left, “cowering in the bathroom”.

The judge said they were rendered homeless by Hodgson’s actions and had suffered psychologically as a result of the traumatic experience.

He said the fire appeared to have been set for, “very little reason” and reflected the defendant’s “impulsive and spontaneous” behaviour as seen in some of his previous offending.

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As a result, Judge Adkin said he considers the defendant poses a danger of further offending, with little thought as to the consequences of his actions.

He, therefore, imposed a sentence with a custodial element of five years and four months, to be followed by a three-year extended licence period.

The judge also made Hodgson subject of a restraining order forbidding him from contacting or approaching the victims of the arson for 15 years.