Man convicted for bulldozing rampage on family home in Newcastle

Jamie Sager admitted he wanted to cause maximum damage by driving a bulldozer into a Newcastle home - flattening it and everything else in its path.

Now he is facing a maximum of 15 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty of endangering the lives of those inside.

Three people were in the home when Mr Sager went on his demolition rampage in 2015, ploughing through the walls of the home.

Four cars and a boat were the first items to be flattened by the bulldozer, which had been stolen from a nearby mining site.

Mr Sager never denied his actions but claimed he thought the house was empty at the time.

The court was told that Mr Sager wanted to cause "maximum damage" to the house as part of an "irrational desire" to exact revenge on a family that he had once called his friends.

After having recently been kicked out of their home, Mr Sager developed a plan to destroy the house and all the possessions inside it, the prosecution said.

The most damning witness account came from an occupant of the house who said Mr Sager made direct eye contact before starting on his rampage.

The jury took less than two hours to convict him of maliciously destroying property with the intent to endanger life, an offence that carries a maximum 15 year jail term.

Jamie Sager will return to court for sentencing in October.