Man admits arson at Labour MP's office building

The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday

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 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.

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 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 damage is estimated at between £250,000 and £500,000.

Wheelie bin fire

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.