The jury in the trial of a Douglas man accused of murder and arson has heard from some of the victims of his alleged crimes.

Simon Paul Leece, of Fairfield Terrace, is alleged to have started a series of fires in March last year.

In the last of them, 61-year-old Terence Losh is said to have lost his life.

The trial began on Monday and this morning (Tuesday) the jurors were taken to the places where the offences were allegedly committed.

Mr Leece is said to have started minor fires at properties in Bucks Road, Peveril Street and Clark Street before setting fire to Mr Losh's home in Demesne Road.

Statements were read out from residents of flats in Bucks Road who said that on the afternoon of March 21, 2009 they had to use fire extinguishers on a burning sofa in their backyard.

In the early hours of the following morning, Sheree Ann Charman and her husband Ian were woken by their fire alarm. They went downstairs and found their dining table on fire, but with no obvious cause.

The court heard the table was near the back door which was open, but the gate into the backyard was locked from the inside, with no other easy way in.

The trial continues on Wednesday.