by Keith Hunt

A teenager terrorised his next door neighbours by starting fires and even running around in his underpants in a year-long campaign, a court heard.

Daniel Patrick’s bizarre behaviour included him taking off his clothes and running around in his underpants after he was seen running away from the home of Atakan and Ozlem Duru’s home, it was alleged in court.

John O’Higgins, prosecuting, said the first of three episodes was in September 2010 when the Turkish couple’s car was set alight on the drive of their house in Cunningham Crescent, Chatham.

The couple were in bed when at 2am Mrs Duru heard the car alarm sounding.

She looked out of the window to see the car ablaze.

Patrick, 19, was outside telling her it was on fire. Mrs Duru feared the car would explode and spread to the house. Their children were frightened.

The family went into the back garden and firemen put out the blaze.

During the incident, Patrick was seen trying to put the fire out with a bucket of water and a hose.

When a police officer spoke to the teenager, he said: “They ------- deserved it as they chucked it back in my face when I tried to help. I would not play with fire. I have learnt my lesson.”

Mr O’Higgins said no action was taken at the time and the matter would have rested there if it had not been for other incidents.

“They involved bizarre and disturbing behaviour,” he told Maidstone Crown Court.

“He demonstrated aggression against the Duru family. It had the common characteristic of involvement with fire.”

Mr Duru was downstairs at 5am on February 26 last year when he heard a noise outside. He went to the front door and could see flames.

He opened the door and saw Patrick bending over and holding a bottle with a flame coming from it. Patrick ran off and Mr Duru threw the bottle into the garden. A petrol can was on the step.

Mrs Duru found a piece of paper with an abusive message on it. Patrick’s fingerprints were on it.

The prosecutor said on October 10 Mrs Duru was awoken by a commotion outside. Patrick was banging on the door shouting: “Get out, get out, gas leak. Get the children out.”

He grabbed Mrs Duru’s arms and pulled her out of the house. He also pulled Mr Duru by the arms. They managed to drag Patrick out of the house.

“His behaviour was bizarre and completely out of control,” said Mr O’Higgins. “He took his clothes off and ran around in his underpants.

“He shouted repeatedly there was a gas leak and the house was going to burn. This was witnessed by police officers.”

An officer could smell alcohol on Patrick’s breath. He accepted he had been drinking heavily.

Patrick denies arson and attempted arson. He admits two assault charges and affray.

The trial continues.