A co-worker of a man accused of arson claimed the defendant had at least six beers before making threats to burn down their boss' antique shop.

Norris Simpson told a Supreme Court jury yesterday that both he and Neil Trott, 41, had been drinking on the job on June 30 last year and he claimed Trott started an argument with boss Mitra Johnston later that day over money owed to him.

Trott is on trial for allegedly stealing a roulette table from Mrs. Johnston, owner of Auction De Mitra, in Booth Hall on Court Street. He is also alleged to have burned down the shop, which formerly housed the commercial section of the Supreme Court, between June 30 and July 1 last year.

Trott, formerly of Loyal Hill Pass in Devonshire, has denied charges of burglary and arson and is represented by defence lawyer Peter Farge.

Earlier in the trial the jury heard that Mrs. Johnston hired several men, including Trott, to do 'hustles' at her shop. On June 30, Trott came in asking for work but she claimed it was a quiet day and there was nothing for him to do.

Trott insisted on doing some dusting and went along with fellow worker Mr. Simpson for a delivery, and was paid $25 and $20 respectively for the jobs, but Trott allegedly started an argument about the amount, claiming it wasn't enough.

Mr. Simpson told the court that Trott had been drinking alcohol the day the alleged offences took place. "I had a couple beers I think. I had Elephants. Neil had Elephants or Sweet Tea (beers). We must have had maybe six each."

According to Mr. Simpson, he watched as Trott and Mrs. Johnston got into a disagreement over money and heard Trott threaten to burn down the shop.

He told the court: "The argument was heated so I just wanted to get out and get Neil out of the truck. Because the argument had escalated to the point where it was starting to get violent and hostile words were flowing."

Mr. Simpson added: "Threats were being thrown back and forth. Neil was threatening Mitra. Like I said, before we got out his hands were all out in her face and he said he wanted some more money. He did say he is going to get his money no matter what happens even if he has to burn the shop down."

Meanwhile Sergeant Alexander Rollin, formerly of the Central Community Action Team, said he heard Trott threaten Mrs. Johnston minutes later while outside Supermart, on Front Street, in Hamilton.

According to the officer's testimony, he received a report of a dispute between a man and a woman and found Trott and Mrs. Johnston "having some form of a verbal altercation".

"They were going toe to toe. I could not hear what they were saying at first," Sgt. Rollin told the court. He said he tried to get in between them and used mediation techniques to try and calm the dispute.

He said both parties agreed the argument was over money — with Trott claiming he was owed another $20 to $30 for his deliveries that day, and Mrs. Johnston denying the allegation. According to Sgt. Rollin, Trott was acting in an "aggressive" manner.

While the officer was handling the dispute, co-worker Mr. Simpson, got involved and had to be arrested, the court heard.

Sergeant Terrence Smith, attached to the Hamilton criminal investigation unit, said he knew who Trott was and could recognise him in video footage of the alleged burglary.

Sgt. Smith said: "I did view the footage. I saw the defendant carrying the table and I recognised him to be the same person I arrested earlier that afternoon. I recognise his facial features and his body size."

However, in cross-examination Mr. Farge questioned why there was no mention of this in the officer's first two statements, dated July 1 and October 21last year.

Sgt Smith said: "I didn't feel that I was playing that much of a role in the case other than as the arresting officer and only mentioned the identification on March 11."

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge Charles Etta Simmons.