A PUB regular set fire to the toilets at his busy local because he believed the landlord had "barred" him, a court heard.

York Crown Court was told that Graeme Leith, 31, set the fire in the public bar toilets at the Yearsley Grove pub on January 18 this year, after landlord Steven Parker asked him to leave a private party.

Tom Storey, prosecuting, said Leith, known as "Jock," had been asked to leave the party, after admitting punching another man.

Leith had taken exception to the man dancing with his wife at the party, to which he had been invited.

The hearing was told yesterday that Leith, of Almond Grove, New Earswick, at first refused to leave the Huntington Road pub.

Eventually he did leave by taxi.

But it was alleged that before getting into the taxi, he entered a toilet cubicle and set fire to a toilet roll, which then set fire to the toilet roll holder.

Between 50 and 60 partygoers were still in the pub, as were the bar staff.

Mr Parker's five-year-old daughter was asleep upstairs.

All were evacuated safely as Mr Parker put the fire out himself, before being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.

Giving evidence, Mr Parker said: "The other bloke left, Jock went to sit with his wife. After ten minutes I asked him to leave, and at first he didn't move.

"He was trying to bluster his way through it, but eventually the message got across. He started saying 'so I am barred then'

"I had not mentioned that word (barred) at all."

Mr Parker said that Leith then became aggressive, threatened to get a shotgun and petrol-bomb the pub.

He is also alleged to have said the pub would not be there in the morning.

Diane Nixon, for Leith, asked Mr Parker if he had seen her client heading for the bar toilets.

The landlord said he had not, and agreed with Miss Nixon that people were walking through from the lounge to the pub bar, where the toilets were still open.

Miss Nixon said: "Really what has happened is you have attempted to blame Jock for something he has not done. You have put two and two together and made five, is that not right?".

"No," replied Mr Parker.

Leith denies one count of arson, one of committing arson with intent to endanger life and one of committing arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

The trial continues.

Updated: 11:41 Tuesday, July 30, 2002