A MAN has admitted starting the fire that killed a father-of-three in his own home.

Paul Nash pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Andrew Simon when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court today (Friday 11).

A basis of plea he entered - which gives an account of "the mechanism of ignition" - was not accepted by the Crown.

Nash will return to court next month when it will be decided whether there needs to be a hearing to determine his level of guilt.

The 29-year-old, whose address was given as Holme House Prison, made a brief appearance this morning.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told him: "You have had the good sense to plead guilty to this indictment, however, there still remains the issue of the basis of your plea."

Nash was remanded into custody at Holme House Prison, Stockton, until the first week of November.

It is expected that Nash’s solicitor will visit him in prison to discuss the basis of plea with him.

The prosecution claim there had been a deliberate setting alight of materials on the sofa, while Nash says the fire started when he threw away a match.

Mr Simon, who died from smoke inhalation when a fire was started at home in Dent Street, Hartlepool, at about 12.50am on Tuesday, June 11.

The victim’s three grown up children all live out of the area but his elderly still lives in the town and at the time of his death pleaded with anyone with information to come forward to Cleveland Police.