A THIRD man accused of setting fire to a boy's home told jurors yesterday he was at the scene when the fatal blaze took hold.

But Trevor Gordon said it was Neil English and Terry Majinusz who were standing at Dean Pike's front door as it went up in flames, killing the 11-year-old, on June 24, last year.

Mr Gordon told Newcastle Crown Court he had gone to Hendon, in Sunderland, with the two men so Mr Majinusz could confront Darren Fletcher.

Mr Gordon said that if trouble had erupted he would have "helped Terry", but dismissed prosecution claims he acted as lookout while the others started the blaze.

He told the court Mr English and Mr Majinusz were outside Dean's home, in Mordey Close, while he was at the end of the street.

Mr Gordon said: "They were standing there and then I saw flames on the front door. I thought they had set the house on fire, so I took off."

Mr Gordon said he read about the details of the tragedy in a local newspaper.

He told jurors he was not involved in what happened.

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

The trial continues.