A man accused of strangling a woman and setting a house on fire at the weekend has appeared in court.

Emergency services were called to a burning house on Davy Street in Ferryhill at around 11pm on Friday night.

Firefighters tackled the blaze and police launched an investigation.

Durham Constabulary has now charged 34-year-old Damian Foster with a string of offences.

He has been charged with:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
  • Arson with intent to endanger life
  • Arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered
  • Intentional strangulation

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Foster appeared before County Durham magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe on Monday but no plea has been entered.

The case against him has been moved to Durham Crown Court until July 15.

Foster is remanded into custody.