Man admits setting fire to Harwich LV18 lightship

Christopher Parker appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday where he faced four charges relating to a spate of fires which were started on Friday, February 2.

The defendant admitted deliberately starting fires which damaged Harwich train station, two vans, and the LV18 lightship.

A fourth charge of deliberately starting a fire to damage a fencea was denied by Parker, who appeared in court via video link from HMP Chelmsford.

Fire - about 60 firefighters were on the scene (Image: Public)

The first fire was started at 7.22pm in George Street, as Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) responded to reports two vans were on fire near Harwich bus station.

A third fire had been started in a railway station building.

Shortly before 9pm, a fourth fire broke out when Harwich’s historic LV18 lightship was set alight.

Nine fire crews and about 60 firefighters from across north and mid Essex attended the scene, and worked with the coastguard and Port of Harwich staff to contain the fire to the ship’s engine room.

Firefighters left the scene at about 4am the following morning, and Parker was then charged with arson on Tuesday, February 6.

On Tuesday, the court heard how there had been issues relating to Parker’s fitness to stand trial, but Huda Musa, defending, told His Honour Judge Mills it was “no longer an issue”.

Because Parker, 23, denied the fourth count of arson which is said to have involved him damaging a fence, there will now be a ten-day period for the prosecution to consider whether to accept Parker’s pleas.

Ms Musa added: “He is mindful of the inevitable sentence in respect of these matters.

Sentencing - Christopher Parker could be sentenced in July (Image: Public)

“There are still issues about mental health in respect of mitigation.”

Judge Mills said: “If the matter is to proceed to trial, then the court want to have up to date evidence.

“There are ten days to consider that position; by next Friday, the crown will have reviewed whether they want to proceed to trial on the remaining count and we can take matters from there.”

Should the pleas be accepted, Parker, of Alexandra Street, Harwich, will be sentenced in late July.