A man has admitted setting fire to a scooter outside a residential property, in what a court heard was, “a drunken revenge escapade”.
Patrick Campbell was arrested after a scooter was damaged by fire at The Square, in St Helen Auckland, County Durham, on December 18, last year.
Appearing at Durham Crown Court, via video link from the city’s nearby prison, where he is on remand, the 30-year-old defendant admitted a charge of arson being reckless as to whether property would be destroyed, or life would be endangered.
Shaun Routledge, representing Campbell, asked for an adjournment of the case prior to sentence to allow for preparation of a background probation report and a psychiatric assessment to be made of the defendant.
Judge Jo Kidd said, looking at the defendant’s past convictions, there did not appear to be any similar offences relating to setting fires.
“I can see there are a number of previous convictions for criminal damage and threatening to cause damage, so we will need some context and detail as to how he came to commit this offence and, equally, if any previous offences concern the victim in this particular case.”
Judge Kidd asked Mr Routledge if the defendant has had any previous in or out-patient psychiatric treatment.
Mr Routledge told the judge: “I’ve had two conferences with him and I’m not aware that there has been any previous medical history.
“There has been no pre-existing history and, even looking at the medical records, I don’t imagine there will be anything there.”
Judge Kidd said: “But it’s about his present position, isn’t that the case, Mr Routledge?
Mr Routledge agreed and said: “The concept of the case is that it’s revenge violence.
“It seems to be a drunken escapade for reasons I can’t quite explain.”
Judge Kidd said in that case she would not require a psychiatric assessment of the defendant before passing sentence on him.
“I think the explanation (for the fire) can be dealt with by the Probation Service in a report.
“On the face of the information in front of me, he hasn’t had any psychiatric involvement.”
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The court was told Campbell received a community order at the magistrates’ court, in August last year, and was back before the Bench for a breach of that order at the end of November.
Judge Kidd said she wanted an update of the position in the probation report and an assessment as to the defendant’s risk of committing further offences.
She adjourned to pass sentence on Friday February 16 and remanded Campbell, of Melrose Drive, St Helen Auckland, to remain in custody until that hearing.
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