AN arsonist who set fire to the KFC restaurant in Stockton was told by a judge that he could be jailed.

Dale Firth, 29, was given bail until he is sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in the week commencing April 11.

Background reports will be prepared on him by a probation worker and a psychiatrist over the next ten weeks.

His lawyer told the court that Firth was pleading guilty after having recently seen CCTV footage of the blaze.

"He is clearly very distressed about what happened," Alex Bousfield, defending, told Recorder Simon Kealey.

He doesn't recognise his own behaviour on the video. It was as if he was watching someone else do it, he says."

Firth, of Dunmail Road, Stockton, admitted arson being reckless as to whether property would be destroyed or life endangered.

The fire at the fast food restaurant on Wellington Square on April 7 caused almost £50,000 in lost earnings and damage.

Five members of staff had to be evacuated from the restaurant, which was closed, when the bushes and a hedge outside were set alight, and the fire spread to the outside of the building. No-one was injured.

After the fire, Stuart Gardiner, crew manager at Stockton Fire Station, said: “It was well alight when we got there.

“The bushes outside the restaurant were on fire and this then spread to a plastic canopy over the drive-thru.

“There was also some smoke damage to the restaurant.”

The restaurant had to close for a day, while the drive-thru remained closed for longer while repair work was carried out.

Mr Recorder Kealey told Firth: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.

"Before the court can pass sentence on you, I'm going to order a report to be obtained to get a full picture of your background.

"You must understand by adjourning, I am giving no indication of likely sentence. All options remain open."