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23
Sept 2022
Man admits setting fire to historic Knaresborough pub
A 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Knaresborough pub last year.
Stephen Pearson, of Pinhoe Road in Exeter, was charged with arson at Blind Jack’s pub on Market Place in the town on August 21 last year.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared before York Crown Court this morning.
Pearson’s defence counsel told the court that he had “a number of difficulties" over the years and was currently seeing a clinical psychologist on a regular basis.
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The defence requested that the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Judge Simon Hickey adjourned sentencing Pearson until November 18.
He told him that he must “realise the consequences that may follow” when he appears before court again.
Blind Jack's on Market Place, Knaresborough.
The pub was damaged in the blaze at around 4am on the morning of August 21, 2021.
Owners Christian and Alice Ogley were away at the time of the fire and nobody was injured.
The Grade II listed pub is named after Knaresborough’s John Metcalf, the first professional road builder to emerge in the Industrial Revolution.
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