A MAN accused of murdering sex offender Ivan Parker claimed he saw another man outside Parker's house shortly before it was torched.

Holgate, 35, of Brush Street, Burnley, claimed he saw a friend, Trevor Murphy, outside the house minutes after it was set on fire.

Holgate was giving evidence at Preston Crown Court during a murder trial following the death Parker at his home in Clay Street, Burnley, last March.

Parker was known as a sex offender in the area and was a heavy drinker who lived in squalid and filthy conditions.

On the night of the death Holgate had been drinking with friends and went to a woman's house in Clay Street, where he smoked cannabis.

Holgate claimed he heard a bang in the early hours of the morning and went out to investigate.

He said: "I went out to take a look and saw flames coming from Ivan's house. I saw somebody at the top of Clay Street near Ivan's house." When Holgate was asked who the man was he replied Trevor Murphy.

Holgate went on to describe how he tried to save Ivan Parker's life.

He said: "I went to bang on a neighbour's door and told him there were flames coming from the house. I ran in and called the fire brigade and shouted for some wet blankets.

"I put the blankets over me and tried to get into the house but the heat was too much."

Holgate claimed that earlier in the evening he had seen a group of youths hanging around outside Ivan Parker's house. Holgate went on to claim that he told the youths to clear off.

On the night of Parker's death Holgate made a 999 call which was recorded by the emergency services. He was later investigated by police after they became suspicious about the events surrounding the fire.

(Proceeding)

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