A Wallington man has pleaded guilty to burning a Liberal Democrat councillor's home.

Dunstan Thomas, of Sandy Lane South, admitted arson with reckless intent to endanger life at a case management hearing at Croydon Crown Court this morning.

From June 11: Knife-wielding man arrested in bathroom after refusing to leave Sutton councillor's burning home

The 41-year-old engaged in a stand off with police and refused to leave the burning building belonging to Carshalton Central councillor Hamish Pollock, a former deputy-mayor of Sutton and secondary school governor, with two teenage children.

Originally he was said by police to have been wielding a knife but no charges to that effect were brought.

At the time a neighbour said: "It's awful what has happened, but them being safe is all that matters."

Thomas was arrested after he was found in the bathroom in the early hours of Thursday, June 11.

A sentencing hearing has been set for October 9.