South Shields man arrested after bomb experts called to a house has admitted having an explosive substance

A man arrested after bomb disposal experts were called to a house has admitted having an explosive substance.

Homes were evacuated on St Aidan’s Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, and suspicious items were seized after an explosion was reported on a Sunday afternoon in June.

Emergency services, including bomb disposal officers, carried out an investigation after the incident on June 23.

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At Newcastle Crown Court today Alex Kesteris Graham, 27, of St Aidan’s Road, pleaded guilty to having an explosive substance, namely a modified rocket type firework.

He also admitted arson in relation to damage caused to a carpet.

Graham will be back in court to learn his fate on November 24, after the preparation of a pre-sentence report and is remanded in custody in the meantime.

Judge Gavin Doig told him: “The fact I am adjourning for a pre-sentence report is not an indication of what the sentence will be. It could be immediate custody.”