Former soldier denies targeting politician

AN ex-soldier who admitted burning down a North East MP's constituency office has disputed that he deliberately targeted the politician's premises, a court heard.

- By TOM WILKINSON AND DANIEL HALL

Josh Oliver had been living rough near Washington and Gateshead South Labour MP Sharon Hodgson's office in Washington when he set fire to a bin store at the building in September.

At a previous hearing before Newcastle Magistrates, the 28-year-old admitted arson on the basis that he was reckless.

The case was listed at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday to fix a sentencing date.

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks outlined the background to the offences, saying that Oliver was discharged from the Army because of his behaviour and went to live with his father.