Pair accused of starting house fire during metal theft

A pair of Romanian men appeared at court accused of starting a potentially fatal fire as they raided a home for valuable scrap metal.

Paramedics treated a woman in her late twenties for smoke inhalation following the blaze last week.

The fire is alleged to have started within the roofspace of Exton House, Inchture, as Silviu Andrei, 28, and Ion Ozon, 32, stripped electrical cabling from the building on October 15.

They appeared individually before Sheriff Foulis at Perth on a petition that also alleged they went on to steal a quantity of cable from Milton of Forteviot Farm between October 16 and 17 and then from South Lodge, Dupplin, the following day.

The men are also alleged to have fled from police in a bid to pervert the course of justice.

Andrei, of North Street, and Ozon, of Wellington Road, both Smethwick, made no plea or declaration and had their case continued for further examination. Bail was opposed and they were remanded to await a second appearance at court.