Court told man, 22, set fire to eight cars in Telford

Nyle Keay also endangered the lives of one family when he set fire to a taxi that was parked outside while they slept upstairs, the jurors were told. Keay, of Acacia Drive in Leegomery, Telford, denies seven counts of arson and one charge of arson recklessly endangering life.

On the opening day of his trial yesterday at Shrewsbury Crown Court it emerged all eight fires were started in the early hours of April 6 in Hadley and Leegomery.

Mr Gerry Quirke, prosecuting, said the case against Keay was based on 'powerful' circumstantial evidence after a major police investigation. He said police examined hours of CCTV footage before charging Keay.

He said investigators believed a young man wearing distinctive clothes and spotted on camera at various locations in Hadley and Leegomery on the night in question was responsible for all eight attacks.

"He told significant lies about the clothing and his appearance on that night, and was caught by officers' work on the CCTV," he said.

Witness Darren Baddeley told the court he had joined Keay and others for a night out at Fortunes nightclub in Oakengates late on April 5.

He explained he last saw Keay 'walking down the road' towards Hadley when they went their separate ways after returning from Oakengates.

Mr Quirke read out victim statements, including one from Mahmood Hussain whose taxi was set alight a few feet from his home while his family slept upstairs.

Mr Mahmood and his family were awoken by police at the door telling them to get out. Mr Mahmood said seven people had to be evacuated, adding it caused at least £8,000 damage to his taxi business.

"My family and I were placed in danger."

The trial continues.