A man has pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, after a fire broke out at a hotel in Stevenage town centre.
Yousef Abdinesir, of The Forum in Stevenage, was arrested after police were called to reports of a fire at the Ibis hotel in The Forum at 11.53pm on Monday, January 1.
It is reported that a laundry bin was on fire on the fifth floor. A number of guests were evacuated as a precaution, with three people treated for minor smoke inhalation.
Mr Abdinesir, 26, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
In February, Mr Abdinesir pleaded not guilty to the charge, and a trial date was set for May 20.
However, he has now changed his plea to guilty and is due to be sentenced on July 19.
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