A HEADTEACHER denies having his BMW car torched as part of an insurance scam, a court was told.

Alan Bromley was arrested on suspicion of making a fraudulent claim to Liverpool Victoria insurance company five months after his BMW 320 was found alight on a back road between Bishop Middleham and Trimdon Grange, County Durham.

Yesterday, Durham Crown Court heard that Mr Bromley, headteacher at Wheatley Hill Primary School, in County Durham, said that he parked it outside the village workingmen’s club, where some of his pupils had been performing a carol concert on December 2, 2009.

But after having a few drinks at the function, he said he decided to get a lift home with his partner, the school’s deputy headteacher Joanne Nugent.

It was only later, after returning to Low Knitsley Farm Cottages, near Consett, that police told them the BMW had been found ablaze six miles from Wheatley Hill.

The court heard that he lodged an insurance claim but it refused to pay out after inquiries and Mr Bromley began proceedings against the company.

It was shortly after this that he was arrested in April last year.

In interview, Mr Bromley said he left his car parked securely on a road near the club, and, having had a drink, decided to collect it next day.

Further extracts were read by prosecuting barrister Warren Grier in which a police officer asked Mr Bromley if he was telling the truth.

The court heard he replied: “I’m telling the exact truth.”

He denied burning out the vehicle himself or asking someone else to, adding: “This has only kicked off because I’m arguing with the insurance people.

“In the cold light of day, I’m a headteacher on a decent wage and a decent lifestyle. There’s no reason to go on like that.

“If you look at who I am and what’s going on in my life, there’s no reason to get involved in anything like this whatsoever.”

Mr Bromley, 46, denies a charge of fraud.

The trial continues.