Malton jockeys murder accused 'shouted' at firefighters

Peter Brown denies starting the fire in which the jockeys died

A man accused of starting a fire in which two jockeys died was "making life difficult" for firefighters at the scene, a court has heard.

Jamie Kyne, 18, from County Galway, Irish Republic, and Jan Wilson, 19, from Forfar in Angus, died in the fire at flats near Malton, North Yorkshire.

Alan Foster, who owned the flats, told Leeds Crown Court Peter Brown had jumped on firemen and shouted at them.

Mr Brown, 37, of Brotherton, North Yorkshire, denies two murder charges.

Mr Foster, who lived in the complex, told the court Mr Brown was outside the flats on 5 September 2009 as emergency services tackled the fire.

'Revenge act'

He told a jury: "Pete was making life difficult for the firemen, jumping on them and shouting at them."

The prosecution claim Mr Brown set fire to the complex as an act of revenge after he was refused entry to a party in one of the flats.

Asked by Paul Watson QC, defending, about events earlier that night, Mr Foster said he had recalled Mr Brown saying to him: "Watch, because everything will kick off tonight."

Mr Foster said he thought Mr Brown was referring to one of the flats having a party and lots of people turning up for it.

"But it didn't happen," he said.

Mr Brown, of School Croft, Brotherton, also denies two alternative charges of manslaughter and one charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

The trial continues.

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