A man accused of starting a fire which caused damage to a terraced house recently has appeared in court and admitted criminal damage charges arising from the blaze.

Christopher Bertram appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison, where he has been remanded in custody since the incident, on August 31.

He is charged with arson with intent to endanger life by damaging by fire a property in School Terrace, South Moor, Stanley, and the alternative of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, or property was damaged.

Before the charges were put to the defendant, his counsel, Calum McNicholas, told the court: “We are missing a fire report.”

Mr McNicholas said he would have preferred to have seen the full report of the senior fire officer in the case before advising his client over pleas.

(Image: The Northern Echo) He said he hoped to have that completed report in the near future.

Judge Jo Kidd observed that fire damage appeared to have been limited to the front room.

She asked Mr McNicholas, however: “Does he accept causing the fire?”

Mr McNicholas replied: “Yes. Offers have been made over potential pleas, but we’ve had no answer in that respect.”

Judge Kidd said: “Credit will be preserved over those two charges for the time being.”

But she said there appeared to be no reason why the defendant could not be arraigned on supplementary charges of causing criminal damage.

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Bertram pleaded guilty to two counts of damaging property, specifically relating to a fridge freezer, washing machine and a table, belonging to the householder, in one charge, and a window, curtains and furniture in the other.

Judge Kidd adjourned the case to a further plea hearing at the court on November 27.

She told the 42-year-old defendant of Palmer Street, Stanley, that he would remain in custody until that hearing, when she said the Crown should have an answer as to which pleas will be acceptable.