Man admits manslaughter of hairdresser Ashley Gillard

Thomas White was originally charged with murder, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors have accepted instead a guilty plea to manslaughter by gross negligence, Luton Crown court heard.

The body of Mr Gillard, who was 31, was found in his third floor flat at Trevithick court, Wolverton after a fire broke out in June last year.

A hair stylist, he worked at Hairco 2 in The Square at Wolverton.

White, who lives in Wellingborough, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

He also admitted a string of other charges including theft of Mr Gillard’s car, fraud and possession of drugs.