Two teenagers face being locked up for starting a fire that damaged every room in a Maidstone home.

Terry Payne, 18, of no fixed address, had previously admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered at the first floor maisonette in Durham Close.

Yesterday, Stephen Whiting, 19, of The Cockpit, Marden, pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Payne had visited Cherry Garstang at her home near Mote Park on May 1 before he and Whiting set fire to petrol.

Mrs Garstang's ex-husband Robert was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. He was detained for four days.

John Fitzgerald, for Whiting, told Maidstone Crown Court the teenager and his partner had a baby, aged six months. They had moved from Parkwood to Marden.

"He recognises a custodial sentence is inevitable," he said. "He is at college studying catering. He had to miss some exams today."

Granting Whiting conditional bail, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said: "The facts are very disturbing and indicate he is quite capable of reoffending.

"He is also facing an inevitable custodial sentence. But given all the circumstances I think the risk (of bail) is manageable with conditions."

Payne has been remanded in custody until sentence in the week beginning November 1.