8:43am Thursday 18th March 2010
A BOY accused of setting his home on fire, leaving his family trapped inside, will appear at crown court.
The ten-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made his second appearance before Teesside Youth Court yesterday.
The fire engulfed the house, in Middlesbrough, in the early hours of September 5 last year. His mother and three siblings had to be rescued from the blaze.
The house, along with all its contents, were destroyed by the fire, which was started at about 2am.
At his first appearance four weeks ago, magistrates decided to send the case to Teesside Crown Court, where custodial sentences of more than two years could be imposed.
At the hearing yesterday, the child, charged with arson with intent to endanger life and arson with intent to recklessly endanger life, said he understood that his case was being sent to a “higher” court.
He was not asked to enter a plea and magistrates granted him unconditional bail.
He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough at a date still to be decided.
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