An arsonist who torched a barber’s shop during opening hours was told he is facing an “inevitable” prison sentence.

The warning was given to Dilovan Sindi after he admitted charges arising from the fire at the premises in the Westerhope area of Newcastle, on the day he was to stand trial at the city’s crown court.

Emergency services received a report of a fire at the salon, on Stamfordham Road, shortly after 10am, on Tuesday, May 23 last year.

Officers and emergency services attended the scene and four people were admitted to hospital.

(Image: Northumbria Police/North News) All four people were later discharged following treatment of different extent.

A full investigation into the cause of the fire was immediately launched by Northumbria Police and one of those injured, the defendant, Sindi, was identified as having started the fire.

CCTV footage showed him entering the barber shop on the morning of the incident with a fuel can which contained a quantity of petrol.

He then poured the petrol over furniture in the premises and several people inside.

Following a struggle, the petrol was ignited by a lighter held by Sindi, causing an explosion which resulted in serious burn injuries to himself and another man.

A child who was in the shop at the time escaped unharmed, as did his father who was with him at the time.

It is believed that Sindi was in a dispute with the owner of the business.

One of his victims sustained 65 per cent burns to his body and was in hospital for several months before being discharged.

He is said to continue to receive treatment for his injuries.

Another man who was in the shop sustained minor injuries to his leg, but a further person present at the time also escaped unhurt.

The 39-year-old defendant, of Sulgrave Road, Washington, suffered serious burns to his body in the incident and required several months of hospital treatment.

(Image: Northumbria Police) On being released from hospital, he was initially charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

As he was due to go on trial at the court, yesterday (Wednesday, September 25), his pleas to arson with intent to endanger life, causing grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding were tendered and accepted by the Crown.

Sindi was remanded in custody following the hearing and he will be sentenced later this year.

Judge Robert Adams asked for a preparation of a background probation report specifically to assess the level of dangerousness posed by the defendant.

But he warned him he would be “inevitably” receiving a prison sentence of some length.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Rona Malessa, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a shocking case and one that could quite easily have resulted in much worse outcomes for those affected.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to praise the victims for their co-operation throughout our investigation.

“Our hope is that now their attacker has pleaded guilty to several offences they can take some closure and look to move on with their lives.

“I’d also like to thank the witnesses who were in the area at the time of the fire, offered assistance on the day and later provided key evidence as part of our enquiries.”

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Det Insp Malessa added: “Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated team of officers, we have now secured a positive conclusion to this investigation and Sindi faces a custodial sentence.

“It is extremely fortunate that at least one person did not die in the incident on May 23 last year.

“We hope the case shows that we will always do everything we can to secure convictions against perpetrators such as Sindi.”