A Surrey man has pleaded guilty to setting the fire that destroyed Delta's Tidewaters Pub & Grill last year.
Bradley Thomas Antrobus, who has a lengthy criminal record, pleaded guilty last week to one count of arson in connection to the May 28, 2010 blaze.
Two months ago, after a preliminary hearing of the evidence in Surrey Provincial Court, Antrobus was ordered to stand trial in New Westminster Supreme Court to face the arson charge. However, after his guilty plea, his case was moved back to Surrey, where he is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15.
The Delta pub was featured on the silver screen in the 1988 Oscar-winning movie The Accused. Then known as the Sidetrack Pub, the location was used as the scene of a sexual assault on a woman, depicted by Jodie Foster, who won several acting awards for her character's portrayal.
Antrobus has a long rap sheet. He also pleaded guilty last week to unlawful confinement, robbery and uttering threats in connection with a separate April 2010 incident in Surrey, for which he is also scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 15.
Police described Antrobus as a "prolific offender" following a 2008 arrest in Richmond for carrying a sawed-off rifle, small amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine, and break-in tools while on probation. In 2006, he made two most-wanted lists: as one of the top five sought by Surrey RCMP, and as one of the 10 most wanted by the Integrated Municipal Auto Crime Team.