A FATHER has gone on trial accused of breaking into his former employer's home and threatening to burn them alive.

Benjamin Grundy, 31, of Kitchener Street, Selby, is charged with the aggravated burglary of Rod and Debora Graham's Riverside Barn house in Carlton, near Goole, on July 6.

He is also said to have damaged a Ferrari belonging to Lord Howard of Carlton Towers later the same morning when he entered a garage in the grounds of the Grade I listed Victorian gothic country house.

York Crown Court heard that Grundy, who completed work for Mr and Mrs Graham while their home was being renovated, is alleged to have climbed a ladder into an open window around 4.30am armed with a knife, lighter, a petrol-filled container and weed killer.

Mrs Graham, who lives in the home with her husband and two daughters, was in bed when she was disturbed by what she thought was her eldest child in their en-suite.

She called out to her but when nobody responded her husband woke up and did the same. Grundy then allegedly ran out from the bathroom and threw petrol over the couple.

Mr Graham told the court: "I recognised him straight away and said 'Ben, what are you doing here?"

"He had a knife, a weed killing machine and a wrench. He said he wanted money and a car, and said do what I tell you or I will burn you alive.

"I told him to come downstairs and I will give him what he wanted. I just wanted him out of the room.

"He broke down and said he had lost his wife and kids."

Mr Graham said Grundy dropped everything he was holding when he broke down, which gave the father-of-two the chance to lead the intruder out of his home.

Peter Byrne, prosecuting, said police conducted a search of the surrounding area but could not locate Grundy until staff from Carlton Towers alerted them to a disturbance.

Police burst into the garage at around 9.40am and found Grundy trying to commit suicide. Mr Byrne said they were able to save his life and arrest him.

Grundy, who is charged with aggravated burglary, threatening to destroy or damage property by fire, having a bladed article and damaging a Ferrari, said in his police interview he could not have been inside the bedroom as he was attempting to commit suicide after leaving a friend's barbecue earlier in the evening.

Grundy said he entered the Carlton Towers garage believing it was his home.

The trial continues.