Arson charge after bonfire event

A man who took part in a Bonfire Night party on Teesside has been charged with arson after allegedly breaching a village bylaw dating back to the 1880s.

Brett Duxfield, 39, from Hartlepool, is accused of lighting the flame on Elwick's village green last month.

Parish councillors banned the event in 1994 after rowdy scenes but the bonfire returned in 2005 despite that ruling.

Cleveland Police said they were forced to investigate the matter after a complaint was made.

Parish council bosses had threatened to clamp down on this year's bonfire party, but villagers were undeterred and carried on with the celebration on 5 November.

The police don't have a say in which laws they enforce Insp Tony Green

Mr Duxfield, of Collingwood Road - a lorry driver who has recently been made redundant - was arrested two days later.

Insp Tony Green said: "According to local bylaws, a fire is not allowed on village green, full stop.

"And we don't take sides but if somebody says it's not allowed we can't be complicit in the fire going ahead.

"As it stands at the moment the police don't have a say in which laws they enforce.

"Evidence was put before the Crown Prosecution Service and they decided there was a case to answer."

Mr Duxfield, a father-of-two, appeared before Hartlepool magistrates last month charged with arson in connection with the bonfire.

The case was adjourned until 19 January, with Mr Duxfield granted bail.