A man accused of burglary and arson claims he got drunk and passed out and could not have committed the crimes, a Supreme Court jury heard.

Neil Trott, 41, yesterday denied breaking into Auction De Mitra, in Booth Memorial Hall, on Court Street, and to stealing a roulette table on June 30 last year.

He also denied burning down the shop between June 30 and July 1, after having an argument with the owner Mitra Johnston over pay.

Trott, represented in court by Peter Farge, was hired to do 'hustles' on and off for two and three years, the jury heard.

Earlier in the trial Sergeant Alexander Rollin said he witnessed Trott and Mrs. Johnston in a "verbal altercation" — with Trott claiming he was shortchanged. The sergeant also said he heard Trott threaten to burn down her shop.

Yesterday, Trott said he didn't recall making any threats and said that after he realised Mrs. Johnston was not going to pay him, he left.

Crown counsel Nicole Smith suggested that Trott had argued with Mrs. Johnston over pay prior to this incident. She also claimed that this was "the last straw" for Trott who committed the offences out of "vengeance".

But the defendant said: "I think it was the last straw for her. It was her action and calling the Police and telling them that she did not want me around her store any more.

"I would have probably forgiven her and called her at some other point, at some other day, and asked her to work again, if she had not said to the Police officer she didn't want me around."

According to his testimony, Trott and co-worker Norris Simpson went with Mrs. Johnston to the Supermart, on Front Street, in Hamilton, to get money for work that day.

The defendant was expecting $25 — but his boss returned with $10 instead, he said.

"I said Mrs. Johnston you know you owe me another $25. She responded that Norris had taken $50 that she was supposed to get."

"She was giving me some of the responsibility for Norris Simpson having this money. Also she was saying that I didn't do anything all day.

"So in trying to present my case to Mrs. Johnston that she owed me money I got upset. I can't recall specifically how upset I got. I didn't feel to myself that I was threatening her or using violent behaviour," Trott said.

He added: "But under the influence of alcohol my perspective may not have been her perspective."

The jury heard that Trott left the scene of the argument after Sgt. Rollin said it would be best to settle the financial dispute in court.

He went to the Arnold's Express on Front Street and bought a six-pack of beers and then went up to Church Street to use a pay phone to call another employer, Lionel Raynor.

Trott said: "I told (Mr. Raynor) that I would not be working with Mrs. Johnston and I would like to devote more time to working with him."

Mr. Raynor agreed and told him to be ready for work in St. David's the next morning.

After that he walked over to a park near Corkscrew Hill and drank his beers and fell asleep. "Then I woke up and I do not know what time any of this took place because I do not have a watch or a cell phone," Trott said.

He walked into town and after visiting several locations, found a place to sleep in a grassy area near the Transport Control Department.

In an interview with Detective Constable Carl Neblett dated July 1 last year, Trott claimed he did not hear about the fire until a friend told him about it later that evening.

Trott said: "At Leopard's Club this girl rode across and she said... your store is on fire. I said 'I do not know what you are talking about'.

"She said your store is on fire and it is a big thing you know. Call your boss. You have got to call your boss'. I am like well I do not have money to call her and I am not calling her.

"I was just trying to lay down. But I didn't pay it any mind and I said 'well whatever, nothing to do with me'."

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons.