Arsonist poured petrol over people and furniture before setting Westerhope barber shop alight after dispute

Petrol was poured over people and furniture inside a barber shop before it was set alight in an incident which police say it was "extremely fortunate that at least one person did not die".

Four people were hospitalised, including two who sustained serious burn injuries, as a result of the fire at the business on Stamfordham Road, in Westerhope, just after 10am on May 23, 2023. All four people have since been discharged.

And now Dilovan Sindi is facing a jail term after admitting an arson attack at the shop. It is believed he was in dispute with the owner of the business.

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Sindi was identified as having started the fire following an investigation by Northumbria Police. CCTV footage showed the 39-year-old 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. One of Sindi's victims sustained 65% 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, 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. He 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."