A former reality television personality has pleaded guilty to her role in a violent attack that left a man with severe burns after being struck by a petrol bomb outside a Redcar pub.
Simone Reed, 36, appeared at Teesside Crown Court where she admitted encouraging or assisting arson with recklessness as to whether life would be endangered.
The glamour model from Eaglescliffe drove to a petrol station to purchase fuel that was subsequently used in a Molotov cocktail thrown by her co-accused Carl Wild, 34.
The attack occurred on February 15 outside Peggy Junes bar on Queen Street, resulting in three people requiring hospital treatment.
Reed and Wild are scheduled for sentencing on October 9.
CCTV footage captured the moment Wild hurled the makeshift incendiary device at David Brotton from close range, striking him directly on the head and instantly igniting his hair.
The victim was seen throwing himself to the ground and rolling frantically whilst attempting to extinguish the flames engulfing his head, with a bystander rushing to assist.
Following the assault, Wild stormed into the venue where he attacked patrons, destroyed furniture, and robbed money from the till.
Cleveland Police confirmed three individuals were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries following the disturbance, which occurred shortly after 8pm.
Wild has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary, charges the Crown Prosecution Service accepted in lieu of attempted murder.
Reed wept in court as she entered her guilty plea, with the court hearing her basis of plea in which she stated: “I had no idea that Carl was going to take it as far as he did… I did not expect at any point that anyone would suffer physical injury.”
The 36-year-old’s barrister indicated she had not intended for anyone to be harmed during the incident.
A third defendant, Lee Wild, 37, of Regent Terrace, Fishburn, County Durham, admitted a section 4 public order offence in connection with the same incident.
Judge Francis Laird KC, Recorder of Middlesbrough, ordered pre-sentence reports for all three defendants, with Carl Wild’s report specifically addressing dangerousness concerns.
Reed appeared on the 2017 series of Big Brother, entering the house on day 25 as a “second chance” contestant before being evicted after 15 days.
The Teesside resident had previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2014 and appeared on the reality programme On Benefits.
In 2009, she served six months in prison after being convicted of affray.
Following her arrest in February, Reed posted photographs on social media showing herself wearing an electronic monitoring tag.
She has been granted conditional bail with a 7pm to 5am curfew, whilst Carl Wild remains in custody.
All three defendants will return to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing on October 9.
