A FORMER pub manager accused of starting a fire said to have put the lives of his girlfriend and two children at risk after a tiff told a jury he loved them.

Philip Swarsbrick, 34, then running the Fighting Cocks, Cliviger, who admitted he lied to the police and tried to "put them off the scent," after he was arrested, said he had picked up a piece of newspaper, lit it with a cigarette lighter and threw it down on the floor. He then stamped on it.

Swarsbrick told Burnley Crown Court: "There was absolutely no fire, no ashes, no glow. It was completely extinguished." He said there could have been somebody else in the pub but possibly wasn't.

The defendant said he had lit the paper in a "moment's madness." He accepted he had been stupid but there was minimal danger. Asked why he had done it, he said maybe it was because he was ill or feeling down.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, claimed Swarsbrick, said to have earlier hit his partner Emma Kelly twice with a book, barricaded her and the two youngsters into a bathroom in a flat on the premises by putting a fridge freezer across the door.

Mr Lamberty told the jury Swarsbrick was "an angry man," because he had been locked out of the bar and at that moment meant to endanger the lives of Miss Kelly and the children.

The prosecutor, who alleged the defendant was "dipping in and out of the truth" when interviewed by police, said Swarsbrick had broken down a door to get to Miss Kelly, who had fled to the corner of the building.

Terrified Miss Kelly and the children were found huddled on the bathroom floor by police and a barman who heard screaming. Swarsbrick is alleged to have earlier told the employee John Askew: "She's going to burn," when he refused to reveal where Miss Kelly was.

Swarsbrick, then of Red Lees Road, Cliviger, denies arson with intent to endanger life, an alternative allegation of reckless arson and common assault.

Giving evidence, the defendant said there had been a "slight atmosphere" between him and Miss Kelly but nothing worse than in previous fall-outs. He said he had tapped her on the head a couple of times with the book in a playful manner.

Swarsbrick, who said he had been "petrified," in police custody admitted he lied to officers because he was trying to distance himself from the situation he found himself in.

He said he did not tell police he had lit a newspaper but now realised honesty was the best policy.

The defendant told the jury he did not put the fridge freezer against the bathroom door and never touched it.

Mr Lamberty suggested Swarsbrick set light to something knowing Miss Kelly was in the bathroom with the children. Swarsbrick said: "I love those three people."

(Proceeding)