fingerprints on a matchbook to those of the 44-year-old Smith's Parish man accused of attempting to set a security guard on fire.

Robert Smith of North Shore Road pleaded not guilty to using a flammable substance with intent to cause harm, and grievous bodily harm.

Smith is accused of throwing gasoline on former Sparrows Nest bar security guard, Benjamin Smith, and attempting to set him alight with matches.

Sgt. Christopher Graham Ward told the court that fingerprint tests had been run on a matchbook found at the scene but they were inconclusive.

Sgt. Michael Chlebec, under questioning by Junior Crown Counsel, Ms Nicole Stoneham, said that on June 25, he seized the matchbook at the top of the bar stairs, along with a screw driver and a white plastic bowl.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Ms Sharon Kenny, Sgt. Chlebec said he did not find any spent or unspent matches laying on the floor.

And he said the match book was empty.

The Police officer said he did not have to search for items because most of them were pointed out.

"It wasn't a case of having to search. The items seized were pointed out by Benjamin Smith,'' he said.

Sgt. Christopher Graham-Ward, in charge of CID, said on June 26, 1994, he found a carton of matchbooks during a search of Smith's room at the Canadian Hotel on Reid Street.

He said the matchbooks were labelled "Tobacco Associates Ltd.''.

Sgt. Graham-Ward said the matchbook at the scene appeared to be a similar type.

"This one had the word "Tobacco'' erased but "Associates Ltd.'' was still relatively clear,'' he said.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Justice Meerabux.