Man died in 'pub arson attempt'

A man was killed in an explosion while helping a debt-ridden pub owner set fire to his bar in Kent, a court has heard.

Taxi driver Derek Drury, 40, was caught in the blast at the Old Locomotive pub in Canterbury, on 18 August, 2002.

His body was found two days after the explosion among the wreckage where an old staircase had been.

Former pub regular Mr Drury went into the disused building in Station Road West, with landlord Keith Willoughby to destroy it, Maidstone Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

Mr Willoughby denies charges of arson and manslaughter.

'Mounting debts'

Mr Willoughby, 53, had mounting debts of around £250,000 and had to pay £1,500 to a building society by the end of the month to avoid a repossession order, Michael O'Sullivan, prosecuting said.

The landlord had bought the pub in 1990 but attempts to sell it on as a housing development site failed.

By the time of the alleged arson it was disused and had been boarded up, the court heard.

Mr Willoughby, of Canterbury, allegedly went to the premises with Mr Drury with the intention of using petrol to set it alight.

Derek Drury spread the petrol around the building but before he could ignite it the accumulated vapour caused the explosion, the prosecution said.

When emergency services arrived at the pub Mr Willoughby told them there was still someone inside and urged them to get him out, the court heard.

When interviewed, the landlord told police he had been at the premises checking for squatters with Mr Drury when the explosion happened.

The trail continues.