A man responsible for a fire which damaged a terraced house has now admitted an arson charge.

Christopher Bertram previously pleaded guilty to two charges relating to property damaged or destroyed by him in the incident in School Terrace, South Moor, Stanley, on August 31.

One count referred to a window, curtains and furniture valued at more than £5,000 and the other to a fridge-freezer, washing machine and table worth less than £5,000.

But, at the request of his counsel, Calum McNicholas, the defendant withheld pleas to alternative charges of arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless to whether life was endangered.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Mr McNicholas asked for a chance to read the full fire report arising from the incident before advising his client over the pleas he might make.

The hearing, at Durham Crown Court, on September 30, was adjourned, but when Bertram appeared again before the court, via video link from the city’s nearby prison, yesterday (Wednesday October 16), the alternative arson charges were put to him.

When the charges were put to the 42-year-old defendant of Palmer Street, Stanley, denied arson with intent to endanger life, but he admitted the reckless arson count.

Prosecuting counsel Deborah Smithies said those pleas were “acceptable” to the Crown.

Mr McNicholas said he would not be seeking any kind of psychiatric report being prepared on the defendant prior to him being sentenced.

(Image: The Northern Echo) But Judge Nathan Adams said he would adjourn the sentencing hearing for preparation of a background report on the defendant by the Probation Service.

Addressing Bertram, he told him: “You will be sentenced on that basis in four weeks’ time.

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“In the meantime, the Probation Service will arrange a meeting with you as to what was going on with you at the time and as to your sentence in general.”

Bertram was remanded to remain in custody pending sentence on November 18.

A provisional trial date, pencilled in for November 27, was vacated as a result of his arson plea being accepted by the Crown.