Neighbour watched man accused of arson enter garden

A MAN claims he saw his neighour going into a communal garden shortly before a neighbour's shed was set alight.

David Godfrey said he saw Geoffrey Vaughan, 62, leave his flat in West Road, South Ockendon and go down the communal stairway at around 1am on June 24 and head toward the rear garden area.

Mr Godfrey said Vaughan, who returned to his flat within minutes.

But an hour later he watched Vaughan from his spy hole leave his home again but this time he saw him banging on the front door of their fellow neighbour Margaret Barker, who is also known as Peggy.

Mr Godfrey told the jury at Basildon Crown Court today that when he eventually opened his door and saw Vaughan holding a hose pipe the defendant told him: "Peggy's shed is on fire. It was not me."

Vaughan denies one count of arson, being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

The trial continues.