A homeless man has pleaded guilty to arson after a devastating blaze destroyed a Labour MP’s constituency office.
Joshua Oliver, 28, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court for the arson attack on Sharon Hodgson’s premises in Washington and Gateshead South.
The fire occurred during the early morning hours of Thursday at Vermont House in Washington.
Oliver’s legal representative, Heather Bolton, argued her client had ignited a wheelie bin without intending the flames to engulf the building.
A homeless man has pleaded guilty to arson after a devastating blaze destroyed a Labour MP’s constituency office
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The prosecutor challenged the claim.
The Crown has rejected Mr Oliver’s argument that the arson was merely reckless rather than deliberate.
The blaze completely destroyed two other vital community services housed in the same building as the MP’s office.
The community services included a small charity supporting individuals with extremely rare genetic conditions and an NHS mental health facility that provides services to military veterans.
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The arson attack was on Sharon Hodgson’s premises in Washington and Gateshead South
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Financial estimates place the damage to Vermont House between £250,000 and £500,000.
Mr Oliver had been residing in a tent close to the building at the time of the incident, the court heard.
District Judge Kate Meek ordered Mr Oliver to remain in custody until his appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on October 14.
The court must still determine whether a Newton Hearing will be required to establish whether Mr Oliver’s actions were reckless or intentional.
The fire occurred during the early morning hours of Thursday at Vermont House in Washington
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The defendant confessed to burglarising Vermont House on the same night, taking a mallet and power tools from the property.
He also pleaded guilty to three separate instances of criminal damage at Vermont House, where he shattered windows in the days leading up to the fire.
Additionally, Mr Oliver admitted to breaking windows at his father’s property in Sunderland on two occasions during July.
District Judge Meek confirmed that sentencing for all charges will take place at the Crown Court.