A SUSPECT in the Dean Pike murder trial told jurors yesterday that he saw his co- accused start the fire that engulfed the schoolboy's home.

Terry Majinusz said he never previously confessed to witnessing Neil English start the fire because he had been too frightened.

Mr Majinusz said he, Trevor Gordon and Mr English had gone to Mordey Close, in Hendon, Sunderland, on the night of the blaze to give a man called Darren Fletcher a "hiding".

The court was told that when they arrived in the street, Mr Majinusz saw Mr English start the fire that blew Dean's pregnant mother out of an upstairs window and killed the 11-year-old within minutes.

Mr Majinusz, who has previous convictions for motoring offences and handling, but none for violence, told the court: "We would have kicked his door in and dragged him outside."

Mr Majinusz told jurors that Mr Fletcher was a target because he believed he was responsible for spreading rumours that would have jeopardised Mr Majinusz's relationship with his teenage girlfriend.

Mr Majinusz said that when the three arrived at Mordey Close, they were walking separately and that he saw sparks coming from the door, with Mr English standing beside them.

He told jurors: "He was standing at the front door. I could not see what he was doing with his hands or anything because he had his back to me.

"While Neil was standing at the front door they (the sparks) were at the side of the door; at the side of him.

"They were sparks off a lighter; a flint lighter."

Mr English, 43, of Chester Road, Sunderland, Mr Majinusz, 40, of Chester Road, Sunderland, and Mr Gordon, 22, of Redmond Road, Sunderland, each deny murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent to endanger life. The trial continues.