Sunderland man admits setting fire to wheelie bin to 'get rid of rats'

A man who torched his neighbour’s wheelie bin in Sunderland said he did it to scare rats away from his property.
Liam Hunt appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.Liam Hunt appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
Liam Hunt appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Liam Hunt admitted one charge of arson at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Prosecutor Paul Anderson told the court that 31-year-old Hunt was captured on a neighbour’s CCTV footage setting fire to the bin, which is worth £25, and running back to his home.

Hunt, of Percival Street, Pallion, has 15 previous convictions for 29 offences – but is engaging well with the probation service as part of an ongoing community order.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.