Car spotted on CCTV was linked to alleged arson attack

David Baker, who performs as rapper Baby B.
Pictures taken at the Bunker, Stockton Road, Sunderland. — David Baker, who performs as rapper Baby B. Pictures taken at the Bunker, Stockton Road, Sunderland.

Alan Smart and David Roberts are accused of starting a fire at a house in Princess Street, Seaham.

Prosecutors say the intended target was David Baker, who owed money to associates of Smart, and who had disrespected Smart in a rap song recorded under the name Baby B.

Smart and Roberts travelled to Seaham to start the fire in a Vauxhall Vectra disguised to look like a taxi, a jury at Teesside Crown Court heard.

Police traced the history of the 55-reg car, finding its last known keeper sold it to a garage in Seaham.

The owner of the car didn’t see the eventual buyer, but on the day the car changed hands there was a large number of calls and text messages between the garage owner and Smart.

“The husband of the last owner ran a small business in Seaham,” said Peter Makepeace, prosecuting.

“Smart was stopped several months after the arson attack for driving using a mobile phone in Thirsk.

“By this time the car was wearing false number plates, and Smart gave a false name.

“Police were able to establish Smart’s true identity, and the identity of the car.”

The jury heard soon after the car was sold, Smart was captured on CCTV driving it near Tesco in Gilesgate, Durham City.

He bought No More Nails fixing strips, and the car was later seen on CCTV with a stolen taxi licence plate fixed to its bumper.

On the night of the arson, a car dressed as a taxi passed the footpath entrance to the house in Princess Road.

CCTV images from a camera outside a nearby convenience store showed the car going past in one direction, then the other, before the image flares, which prosecutors say was the fire starting.

Vehicle identification expert David Manning said he carried out a still-by-still examination of footage from Princess Road, the CCTV camera in Durham City, and police photographs of the car Smart was driving in Thirsk.

Smart, 39, of Shrewsbury Crescent, Humbledon, Sunderland, denies arson on December 23 and 24, both 2011, and he denies arson with intent to endanger life on April 29, 2012.

The earlier arsons are alleged to be Smart setting fire to the doorway of another house in Seaham occupied at the time by Mr Baker, and Smart setting fire to Mr Baker’s Audi car.

Roberts, 54, of Sorley Street, Millfield, Sunderland, denies arson with intent to endanger life on April 29, 2012.

* The trial continues