The scene at the MP for Washington and Gateshead South Sharon Hodgson's office in Washington, Sunderland which has been damaged by a blaze, September 11, 2025
A FORMER soldier who admitted burning down an MP’s constituency office has been made subject to an interim hospital order ahead of sentencing.
Josh Oliver, 29, had been living rough near the offices of Labour MP for Washington and Gateshead South Sharon Hodgson when he set fire to a bin store in September last year, destroying the building.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Sarah Mallett agreed Mr Oliver should be subject to an interim hospital order ahead of sentencing on December 10.
He has previously admitted arson on the basis that he was reckless.
Prosecutors said there may be no need for a Newton Hearing, where facts relating to a guilty plea are decided, given “the mental health condition of this defendant.”
A court previously heard that Mr Oliver was discharged from the army because of his behaviour.
Following a deterioration in his mental health, he began living rough near the MP’s office.
Vermont House also accommodated an NHS veterans’ mental health service and a charity for people with rare genetic diseases.
Damage was estimated at between £250,000 and £500,000.
Where normally only the US and its ally Israel vote to strangle Cuba economically, there have been special efforts to slander and isolate the besieged socialist island nation year — so we must redouble our solidarity, writes TARIQ ANDERSON