A MAN who admitted causing a blaze which gutted a pub has had his sentence date moved.

Former pub landlord Timothy Sharp, now living in Waverley Terrace, Ramsey, Isle of Man, pleaded guilty to arson on March 10 when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court via video link.

He had set fire to the Old Swan Inn, in Gargrave, on July 7 last year. The pub belonged at the time to the Ei group but was later sold to the Stonegate Group.

The fire destroyed the former coaching inn and resulted in Sharp having to be rescued from the roof by firefighters. A number of the firefighters have since been given awards for their bravery in the rescue in difficult circumstances.

Fire crews from across the area using specialist equipment spent several hours fighting the flames.

The pub, which was completely gutted and lost its roof, has since been refurbished and is open again.

Sharp, 54, was due to appear before a crown court judge on May 20 following the preparation of pre-sentence reports. However, the sentencing has been adjourned for medical reasons associated with the defendant.

He has now been ordered to appear on June 23 at Bradford Crown Court.