Darlington boy in court over South Park care home arson

The 15-year-old from Darlington appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe on Friday (July 19) charged with arson after the blaze in February.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.

The charge read: “On February 11 2024 at Darlington, jointly with others, [you] committed arson in that without lawful excuse you damaged by fire a disused care home  belonging to Elysium Care, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.”

Damage to the former care home. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

He pleaded guilty and magistrates Mrs Ramshaw and Mr Goodman handed him a youth offender referral order lasting 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation after stealing a motorbike from a Darlington street earlier this month.

Firefighters were called to the former South Park Care Centre on Lakeside in Darlington at about 3pm on Sunday February 11 after it was set ablaze.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Five fire engines to put out the flames on the ground floor.

Images showed the extent of the damage, with scorch marks charring the building.

The care home was closed after it was branded ‘inadequate’ by inspectors in 2016 and went into administration.

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Court papers show the building belongs to Elysium Care.

At the time dozens of residents had to be relocated and 40 staff faced the prospect of redundancy.

The care centre’s closure was blamed on cash flow issues due to low numbers of residents at a site that could house 67 people.