A MAN responsible for two early morning arson attacks in Darlington has appeared before the courts.

Daniel Tansey, 20, of Corporation Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to two charges of arson when he appeared before the town’s magistrates today (November 1).

Prosecuting, David Maddison told the court that the police were called to deal with two people who were seen inside a building site at 3.10am on August 3.

The pair, one of whom was Tansey, were told to move on and a short time later the officers saw that a 13ft long Bannatyne’s gym banner had been set alight.

Just after 4am police then received a call that there was a fire on Skinnergate.

A wheelie bin and storage shed belonging to a kebab shop had been set alight and CCTV footage showed Mr Tansey running away from the scene across a nearby car park.

Mitigating, Graham Hunsley said that alcohol was a factor in the incidents and Tansey had told police in interview that he did not know why he had done it.

Magistrates stood the case down for a probation report and Tansey is due back in court on November 11 for sentence.

He was released on unconditional bail until then.