A MAN has admitted taking part in a petrol bomb attack on a house while a family was asleep in the property.

Appearing via video link to Durham Crown Court from the city’s nearby prison, Bilal Havid pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

It follows the attack on a house in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street., in the early hours of Friday December 9, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that a man and four children were sleeping at the property, in The Oval, when the incident took place.

The householder was said to have woken to the smell of burning shortly after 1.30am.

On checking, he discovered damage to the back door, with apparently some form of liquid used in the attack, but the fire had not taken hold and the family was able to remain at the house overnight.

The case against 22-year-old Havid, of Chester Burn Close, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, was adjourned pending the outcome of proceedings against two co-accused, facing the same charge.

David Craig Rowell, 35, of Elwin Place, Pelton, who also appeared via video link from Durham Prison, was excused from putting in his plea to allow him to have a consultation meeting with his barrister, Tony Davis.

He will appear with a third accused, Tony Mitchinson Walker, 38, of Ridgeway, Birtley, at a further plea hearing next Friday.

Judge Christopher Prince said he would not be seeking a psychiatric report on Havid, which is often sought in arson incidents,, as it appeared to be, “an outright act of revenge”, rather than an underlying issue with fire-raising, in his case.