A man is facing a jail term after admitting an arson attack at a barbers in Newcastle.

Just after 10am on May 23, 2023, emergency services received a report of a fire at a barber shop premises on Stamfordham Road, in the Westerhope area of the city.

Officers and emergency services attended the scene and four people were admitted to hospital.

All four people were later discharged.

A full investigation into the cause of the fire was immediately launched by Northumbria Police and one of those injured, Dilovan Sindi, was identified as having started the fire.

CCTV footage showed Sindi, 39, entering the barber shop on the morning of the incident with a fuel can which contained a quantity of petrol.

He then poured the petrol over furniture in the premises and several people inside. Following a struggle, the petrol was ignited by a lighter which was held by Sindi, causing an explosion which resulted in serious burn injuries to himself and another man.

A child who was in the shop at the time was thankfully unharmed, as was his father who was with him.

It is believed that Sindi was in dispute with the owner of the business.

One of Sindi’s victims sustained 65 per cent burns to his body and was in hospital for several months before being discharged. He continues to be treated for his injuries.

One man escaped without injury, while another man who was in the shop at the time sustained minor injuries to his leg.

Sindi, of Sulgrave Road, Washington, himself suffered serious burns to his body in the incident and required several months of hospital treatment.

On being released from hospital, he was charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

As he was due to go on trial at Newcastle Crown Court, yesterday (Wednesday) he entered guilty pleas to arson with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding.

Sindi was remanded in custody following the hearing and will be sentenced at a later date.

Following the conclusion of the trial, Detective Inspector Rona Malessa, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a shocking case and one that could quite easily have resulted in much worse outcomes for those affected.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to praise the victims for their co-operation throughout our investigation. Our hope is that now their attacker has pleaded guilty to several offences they can take some closure and look to move on with their lives.

“I’d also like to thank the witnesses who were in the area at the time of the fire, offered assistance on the day and later provided key evidence as part of our enquiries.”

Detective Inspector Malessa added: “Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated team of officers, we have now secured a positive conclusion to this investigation and Sindi faces a custodial sentence.

“It is extremely fortunate that at least one person did not die in the incident on May 23 last year.

“We hope the case shows that we will always do everything we can to secure convictions against perpetrators such as Sindi.”