Two accused: ‘We didn’t start fires’

Det Con Craig Foulkes and Peter Moulson QC, prosecuting, read interviews to the jury in which Holroyd said after about half-anhour he had gone downstairs to the toilet and returned to find Gibbon arguing with Mr Fletcher saying he was “taking the p**s.”

He said Gibbon began throwing his arms about knocking hairdressing products off the shelves and a “hysterical” Mr Fletcher moved to stop him.

Holroyd said: “Gibbo is not having it, he turned round and hit him. As he hit him he’s fallen through the doorway and gone down the stairs.”

He said he found Mr Fletcher unconscious at the bottom and he and Gibbon tried to lift him up but he was too heavy so they left him.

Holroyd said he was panicking and at one stage left the salon and spoke to a girl outside and told her what Gibbon had done. She did not want to be involved.

When he went back in Gibbon threw a brick at the window. They then argued when he wanted to leave and Gibbon wanted help to clean up. Holroyd said he punched Gibbon who retaliated by hitting him repeatedly, causing his nose to bleed.

After he cleaned himself up he did leave and went to his girlfriend’s home. He wished he had phoned police or an ambulance for Mr Fletcher.

He said: “I’m innocent, I know I haven’t hit him.”

When he left he said there was no fire or water damage.

In a later interview he said he did remember Mr Fletcher making a sexual remark prior to Gibbon’s actions.

Gibbon claimed in interview he tussled with Mr Fletcher after the older man touched his penis over his clothes and they ended up both falling down the stairs.

He said it was Holroyd who then attacked Mr Fletcher downstairs. Holroyd left first and he followed. He denied starting any fires.

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