A man arrested following a house fire and alleged acts of violence on a woman is to be assessed for his fitness to stand trial.

Damian Foster appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link to the city’s nearby prison, where he has been on remand since events in Ferrhill, late on Friday, June 14.

Police and other emergency services were called to a report of a house on fire in Davy Street, at about 11pm.

The fire service tackled the blaze and with police launched an investigation into the cause.

(Image: CDFRS)

Police arrested 34-year-old Damian Foster, charging him with arson with intent to endanger life and the alternative of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He was also accused of assault causing actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Before any of the charges were put to the defendant at today’s (Monday, July 15) hearing Robin Patton, representing Foster, said defence solicitors have arranged for the defendant to be interviewed by a psychiatrist, later this month, to assess his fitness to plead.

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But Mr Patton said while the outcome of the psychiatrist’s report is awaited, the court could still operate on the basis that there would be a trial in the case.

A suitable trial date was pencilled in to start at the court on December 11, but with a pre-trial further case management hearing on August 28, by which time it is hoped the outcome of the psychiatric report should be ready to go before the court.

Judge Jo Kidd agreed to those dates and remanded the defendant to remain in custody in the meantime, to next appear via video link for the August 28 hearing.