Published Thursday, 21 April 2011
Stuart Lemoine was detained following an attack which caused £600 worth of damage to a Mazda vehicle in Bangor, Co Down on Monday, prosecutors said.
It was also revealed that a spate of similar arson attacks have occurred in the area.
Lemoine, 25, of Lisnabreen Walk in the town, was said to have been carrying a bag containing a claw hammer, balaclava, gloves, two pairs of ripped-up boxer shorts and a newspaper.
Two half-litre containers with a petrol or chemical smell were also in the bag, according to the prosecution.
Police later recovered 1,200 Diazepam tablets during searches of his home.
Lemoine faces charges of arson, possession of articles with intent to damage property, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a Class C drug with intent to supply.
Crown counsel Fiona O'Kane said a man dressed in black had been reported spraying a substance on the car and setting it alight in the Abbeymount area at around 1.30am.
Lemoine was arrested nearby and claimed to have been taking a walk with his workbag, the court heard.
In custody it was alleged that he stated: "The car wasn't burnt that bad, was it?"
Opposing bail, Mrs O'Kane disclosed: "It has to be said there has been a spate of similar arsons in the vicinity where accelerant is poured on a car and the car is set alight, albeit this applicant is denying his involvement."
Richard McConkey, defending, said his client denied all the offences apart from having the drugs which he bought in bulk, because they were cheaper, for his own use.
"Regarding the arson allegations he instructs that he had been using the accelerant as it is described, the petrol, for sniffing purposes," the barrister added.
Lemoine was said to suffer from a dependency to drugs.
Bail was refused due to the risks if the accused was released.
Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: "Setting a vehicle of fire is something which would cause extreme concern to members of the public."