A TEENAGER who said he was trapped in a school fire has been accused of “playing the victim” and pretending to be in danger that night.

Aaron Foster, 19, has admitted breaking into Ash Green Primary School in Mixenden in February, but he told a jury today that two “mates” had asked him to take part in the burglary which was aimed at stealing iPads and computer equipment.

Foster, of Stanningley Drive, Mixenden, has denied starting the fire which caused damage put at £4.5 million and today (Friday) he described how he broke into the premises by smashing a door panel before he let his two accomplices into the classrooms via the windows.

Bradford Crown Court has heard that CCTV footage from the school did not capture images of anyone else inside the premises apart from the defendant, but Foster explained that was because his mates had been let in via the windows and they did not go into the corridors.

Foster, who denies arson charges relating to the school and an earlier blaze at Mixenden library back in August 2020, was questioned by prosecutor Camille Morland about the 999 call he made once the fire had started in the Key Stage 2 classrooms.

The jury heard that Foster had left the school via the broken door panel for a short time, but he had then gone back inside despite the fire having already started.

He claimed that he had gone back to look for more stuff to steal and also to check on his friends.

“What we see on the footage of you in the assembly hall and the library is you strolling around the school in a relaxed fashion. You were not in a panic by that time,” said Miss Morland.

“I was trying to stay calm,” said Foster.

“You were taking your time with a bag on your shoulder with iPads inside. You were not trying to get out of the school,” said Miss Morland.

“I was looking for more stuff,” replied Foster.

“Mr Foster you went back into the school because you decided to pretend that you had been trapped,” submitted Miss Morland.

“No,” said Foster.

He said he made the 999 call because he couldn’t see where he was going and felt in danger.

“This was you playing the victim in this situation,” said Miss Morland.

“No,” said Foster.

“Pretending to be trapped when you weren’t,” said the prosecutor.

“Admittedly I could have got out, but my mind went blank,” replied the teenager.

“Were you trying to create a drama around the situation? Were you enjoying it?” asked Miss Morland.

“No,” said Foster.

Miss Morland alleged that Foster had started the fire on his own and was enjoying the attention he was getting from the emergency services and even the big crowd of people who were angry with him.

She alleged that the “mates” were simply a lie that Foster had invented since the fire.

During questioning Foster also denied being involved in the Mixenden library arson which caused £180,000 damage and said he had been at home in bed until 7.30am the next morning when his mum took him to work.

The court heard he was arrested at the time, but never interviewed by police and released under investigation after spending 19 hours in a cell.

Foster said a woman who claimed he had been bragging about the blaze after seeing him in the library had not been telling the truth.

Foster’s mum Stephanie Gerrard told the jury that there was CCTV footage from the family home that night and she had wanted the police to come and get it to prove her son was innocent.

She explained that after the police dropped the case in 2020 she was told she didn’t need to keep the CCTV recording.

The court heard the CCTV footage was no longer available.

She said her son didn’t leave the house until she took him to work the following morning.

The trial will not be sitting on Monday and Tuesday next week, but it is due to resume next Wednesday.