A MAN has appeared in court accused of deliberately setting alight an outdoor bar.
Thomas Meenaghan entered no plea at Worcester Magistrates Court to a charge of recklessly endangering the lives of others through arson.
The seriousness of the crime means the case will go straight to the crown court.
The offence is alleged to have taken place in Upton-upon-Severn on Saturday, February 12, and caused £17,000 worth of damage to an outside summer bar at the Star Inn and Hotel.
Fire crews from Upton, Pershore and Tewkesbury were called to the blaze at 10.50pm. The flames reached 30ft high at times, destroying the bar, surrounding decking and furniture.
Guests and neighbours had to be evacuated.
It is also said 25-year-old Meenaghan, of Hangman’s Lane, Hanley Swan, was reckless to whether the life of William Hawkes and Peggy Ward would be endangered by the fire.
Meenaghan will appear at Worcester Crown Court on October 10. He was released on conditional bail, not to enter Upton.
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