A 16-year-old boy appeared at Folkestone Youth Court in court today accused of setting fire to a homeless man as he slept.

The teenager is alleged to have set fire to the vagrant’s beard and sleeping bag while he slept in a shelter at Marine Parade on the seafront at Dover, during the early hours of Saturday morning.

He has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The case was adjourned at lunchtime. During the morning prosecutor Marie Davis argued against the youth being allowed bail. The case was due to resume this afternoon when defence solicitor Rocco Marinaccio was to argue that his client should be freed from custody.

The teenager first appeared in court yesterday when he was remanded in custody overnight.

The defendant wore jeans and a beige jumper at the hearing. Four members of his family and a family friend sat in the public gallery to hear the submissions.

Before possible bail was discussed the prosecutor told magistrates it was a “grave crime” which should be heard at crown court.

The case is likely to be adjourned for four weeks for committal papers to be prepared.