TWO men are to stand trial on charges arising as a result of horrific injuries suffered by a party host, said to have been set alight while sleeping after a heavy drinking session.

The 25-year-old former labourer suffered third degree burns in the incident at the home he had recently moved into, in Spennymoor, County Durham, in February last year.

It led to him having his left leg amputated below the knee and requiring reconstructive surgery to his right ankle.

The men accused of causing the injuries, James George Gillibrand, 24, and 32-year-old David William Lewis, appeared at a plea hearing in the case, at Durham Crown Court on Friday (April 10).

Charges of arson with intent to endanger life and the alternative of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, plus causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and inflicting grievous bodily harm, were put to the defendants.

Gillibrand admitted arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

But he denied the other two counts, while Mr Lewis pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

Prosecuting counsel Paul Reid said those pleas were not accepted by the Crown, and so a trial was arranged, with a potential four-day duration, in August.

Recorder Eric Elliott bailed Gillibrand, of Wesley Way, and Mr Lewis, of Nelson Street, both in Seaham, County Durham, to return for the start of the trial, on August 17.