MURDER suspect John Collings yesterday denied causing the fire that claimed his girlfriend's life.

Victoria Barker, 30, was found dead in the burnt out remains of her living room in Coquet Gardens, South Stanley, in August.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the couple's violent relationship had been influenced by alcohol problems and suicide attempts on both sides.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, said the fire was initially treated as an accident, but suspicions were aroused when Collings' accounts of what happened did not appear to be consistent with the events.

Mr Collings told the court he had been "very confused" in the aftermath of the fire. He said: "I did not start that fire. I did not."

When asked by Mr Hedworth why he did not try to rescue his girlfriend from the flames while he was still inside the burning house, he said: "There was a lot of smoke and fire. My instinct was to turn and get help, and that is the truth."

Mr Collings said he had been drinking whisky on the morning of the fire and fell asleep in the bedroom while Victoria was in the living room.

He insisted that the couple had now rowed or used violence towards each other that morning.

Scientific evidence indicates that Miss Barker, who had a dangerously high level of alcohol in her system at the time of her death, was placed on top of the fire after it was started, probably on a cushion in front of the sofa.

Mr Collings, who was living at Dean Street, Hexham, Northumberland, at the time of his arrest, denies murder. The trial continues.