A MAN accused of starting a series of fires, including one which damaged a primary school building, has been refused bail by a crown court judge.

It means alleged multiple arsonist Andrew Derbyshire will remain remanded in custody prior to the preliminary hearing of the case at Durham Crown Court, next month.

He was granted conditional bail when he first appeared before magistrates, but that decision was overturned after a prosecution appeal today (Tuesday, February 24).

Mr Derbyshire was arrested following a spate of fire-raising incidents, several involving wheelie bins being set alight at the rear of premises on the Poets Estate, South Stanley, in the early hours of Saturday February 14.

Bungalows on Joicey Gardens and Reynolds Close were damaged while there were also attempts to start fires at another property on Joicey Gardens and a further address in Byron Close.

An 84-year-old resident was taken to hospital for treatment after she suffered smoke inhalation as a result of one of the blazes.

A parked car was also damaged by fire after newspapers placed under its wheel arches were set alight.

Mr Derbyshire is also accused of starting a fire which damaged Burnside Primary School, in South Stanley.

The reception area and two classrooms at the nursery end of the school in Mendip Terrace were worst affected by the blaze, which broke out on the evening of Tuesday February 10.

It led to an early closure of the school for repairs prior to the half-term holiday, although it was expected to reopen for lessons this week.

Mr Derbyshire appeared before North Durham magistrates, sitting at Peterlee, on Saturday (February 21), charged with arson with intent to endanger life, or being reckless as to whether life was endangered, two of attempted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and two counts of straight arson.

The case was adjourned and the 21-year-old defendant, of Cheviot Terrace, Stanley, was granted conditional bail.

But he remained in custody after the Crown lodged an immediate appeal against the decision to bail Mr Derbyshire.

An application to rescind the granting of bail, made by Lewis Kerr for the Crown, was today (Tuesday February 24) agreed by Judge Christopher Prince, who rejected the counter argument of Rod Hunt, representing the defendant.

As a result he will remain behind bars prior to the preliminary hearing at the court on Monday, March 9.