A TEENAGER accused of starting a fire in his own home has been refused bail.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Worcester magistrates charged with starting the bedroom fire in the St John’s area of the city earlier this month.
He entered a plea of not guilty but was remanded to secure accommodation before a trial scheduled to take place next month.
The youth has lived in the property for two years, said prosecutor Kerry Brookes. She said that two days before the bedroom fire, flames were seen coming from the garden of the property and that later the same day there was a fire in a shed at the same location.
Ms Brookes said investigations into the bedroom fire showed a “very high probability” it was started deliberately by a naked flame.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt or even killed by (his) actions,” she said.
The youth denied a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Chris Aggrey, defending, said the trial would involve forensic experts, before he attacked the stance of the Crown Prosecution Service.
“The evidence has been distorted in favour of the prosecution,” he said.
“We will be instructing an expert to look at the possibility of a third party throwing an object (into the bedroom).
“This is not an open and shut case as the crown would have you believe. His remand has been a huge shock to the system.”
Chairman of the bench Mike Pilling refused to grant bail and ordered a one-day trial to be held at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 29.
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