Jockeys killed 'in revenge attack'

A fire that killed two young jockeys was started deliberately out of revenge by a man who was "humiliated" after being refused entry to a party in a flat in their building, a court heard yesterday.

The apprentice jockeys, Jamie Kyne, 18, of Co Galway in the Irish Republic, and Jan Wilson, 19, from Forfar, Scotland, were sleeping on the top floor of the block in Malton, North Yorkshire, when they died in the blaze in September last year.

The first day of the trial at Leeds Crown Court was told that Peter Brown used an accelerant to ignite rubbish in the communal entrance of the building where he also lived. He had been drinking whisky and lager and taken cocaine, the jury heard. The fire "raged" swiftly through the building forcing occupants to leap to safety and climb down a drainpipe.

Richard Mansell QC, for the prosecution, said Mr Brown, 37, who denies two charges of murder, two charges of manslaughter and one charge of arson with intent to endanger life, had threatened to set light to the converted tannery. The defendant allegedly told one witness on the night of the fire, "You had better watch them [sic] as it will kick off later", the jury heard.

Mr Brown had previously sent threatening messages to a female staying at the flat where the party was being held and had threatened to kill her boyfriend after she spurned his advances. The court was also told he had personal and alcohol problems.

The trial continues.