A MAN has appeared in court accused of destroying a high value car by deliberately setting it on fire.

Graham Tate is accused of arson, in that without lawful excuse he destroyed by fire a Mercedes A-class vehicle, belonging to a named woman, intending to destroy or damage such property, or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed.

The alleged arson attack took place in Coronation, near Bishop Auckland, on January 10, last year.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, the 37-year-old defendant, of Swan Street, Evenwood, County Durham, denied the charge.

The case was adjourned for a trial, of up to two days’ duration, starting at the court on Wednesday June 8.

Dates were agreed between Jane Waugh, for the Crown, and Mr Tate's counsel, Tony Davis, for the prosecution presentation of case papers, on March 30, and for the defence to submit its case, on April 27.

The defendant was bailed, on condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses, to return for the trial.

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