Bangor man sawed his way into neighbour’s flat before setting it on fire, court is told

The 27-year-old accused faces charges of arson with intent to endanger life, burglary as well as four drug offences, including possessing magic mushrooms

A man told police he had sawn his way into his neighbour’s flat and set fire to it “in retaliation for a complaint of harassment,” a court has heard.

Appearing in the dock of Newtownards Magistrates Court on Monday, 27-year-old Jack McClure was charged with six offences alleged to have been committed on Sunday September 6.

McClure, with an address at Balloo Walk in Bangor, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life, burglary with intent to steal as well as four drug offences, including possessing magic mushrooms, herbal cannabis, pregabalin and diazepam.

The court heard that emergency services, including the police and the Fire and Rescue Service, were called to a fire at the flat around 5.30am.

Giving evidence, a police officer told the court the fire had caused extensive damage to each of the rooms and that after the fire was extinguished, it was estimated the flat had been on fire for about an hour before emergency crews were called.

Police were still at the scene when McClure asked to go into his flat to retrieve property but he was arrested when officers noted that his hands were covered in soot.

A search of his property uncovered the drugs as well as a saw, and the court heard that when he was interviewed, McClure admitted using the saw to cut the front door to gain access.

Once inside the flat he “trashed it,” and having pulled the mattress from a bed, McClure set it on fire.

The officer told the court McClure admitted the incident was “in retaliation for a complaint of harassment.”

Objecting to bail, the constable emphasised a risk to the public in that McClure had admitted setting fire to a flat within a multi-occupancy building, and one which has adjoining properties.

There were fears of further offences being committed, she told the court, adding that McClure “has no suitable bail address.”

Defence counsel Conan Rea submitted that McClure could be granted bail, subject to an address approved by the police, and further that additional bail conditions could be imposed to address police concerns.

District Judge Amanda Brady refused bail, however, given what she said were the risks to the public and the risk of further offending.

McClure was remanded in custody, and the case adjourned to the end of the month.

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