A West Cumbrian man has admitted an arson charge after starting a fire at his step-father’s home in Seaton.
Four fire crews tackled the blaze in a house at Queens Avenue after responding at around 4.55pm on Friday, March 10.
Nobody was reported to have been injured in the incident which led to the occupant’s step-son, Russell Mason, being charged and brought in front of a judge.
At Carlisle Crown Court today, Mason pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleged arson with intent to endanger life.
However, he admitted a less serious offence of arson being reckless as to whether property was damaged or destroyed on March 10, and whether life was endangered. This was accepted by the prosecution.
Mason also admitted a second charge of assaulting an emergency worker — a police constable — on the same date.
Recorder Paul Hodgkinson heard a psychiatric report delving into the defendant’s background had already been completed. Recorder Hodgkinson adjourned the case for a probation service report to be prepared to assist the sentencing exercise.
Mason is due to be punished for the two offences at the crown court on August 9, and in the meantime he remains remanded in custody.
