This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99gn84rkdxo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man admits arson at MP Sharon Hodgson's Washington office building Man admits arson at MP Sharon Hodgson's Washington office building
(about 1 hour later)
The fire broke out in the early hours of ThursdayThe fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday
A man has admitted setting a fire that caused significant damage to a building containing the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson. A man has admitted starting a fire that caused significant damage to a building containing the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson.
The blaze started at Vermont House, in Washington, where the Washington and Gateshead South MP is one of a number of tenants, just after midnight on Thursday. The blaze was spotted at Vermont House, in Washington, where the Washington and Gateshead South MP is one of a number of tenants, just after midnight on Thursday.
Joshua Oliver, 28, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to arson and burglary but his defence barrister said he denied it had "anything to do with" the MP.Joshua Oliver, 28, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to arson and burglary but his defence barrister said he denied it had "anything to do with" the MP.
Mr Oliver, of no fixed abode, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the city's crown court on 14 October.Mr Oliver, of no fixed abode, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the city's crown court on 14 October.
The court heard Mr Oliver had been living in a tent near the building, which is in the Concord area of Washington, near Sunderland.The court heard Mr Oliver had been living in a tent near the building, which is in the Concord area of Washington, near Sunderland.
The fire destroyed the front of the building and damaged the offices of a small charity for people with very rare genetic diseases and an NHS mental health service for veterans which are based in the same building.The fire destroyed the front of the building and damaged the offices of a small charity for people with very rare genetic diseases and an NHS mental health service for veterans which are based in the same building.
The defence said Mr Oliver accepted the arson charge, on the basis that it was reckless rather than intentional. The damage is estimated at between £250,000 and £500,000.
The Crown did not accept that basis of plea. Wheelie bin fire
Mr Oliver also pleaded guilty to theft of a power tool on 10 September and a number of criminal damage offences committed between July and September. Mr Oliver admitted starting a fire in a wheelie bin which then spread.
He also admitted burgling the site and stealing a mallet and power tools on the same night.
Heather Bolton, defending, told the court Mr Oliver had not intended for the fire to spread to the building.
She said he accepted the arson charge, on the basis that it was reckless rather than intentional, but the Crown did not accept that basis of plea.
The defendant was told a decision would be made on whether a Newton Hearing, to rule if the offence was reckless or intentional, would be necessary.
Mr Oliver also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage, including smashing windows at Vermont House, in the days before the fire.
He also admitted twice smashing widows at his father's house in Sunderland in July.
Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.