The two accused in court yesterday.

POLICE have charged two men with setting the fire that destroyed the main building in the Ministry of Health, Brickdam compound.

Clayton Westford, 19, of Lot 7 West La Penitence and Tedena Bagot, 21, of Lot 32 Second Street, Alexander Village, also in Georgetown were not required to plead to the joint indictable charge when they appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melisa Robertson.

It is alleged that, between July 16 and 17, they unlawfully and maliciously set ablaze the property belonging to the State.

Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, indicated that advice on the matter is being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Attorney-at-law Mr. Michael Somersall, for him, said Westford, who has been employed as an office assistance at the Ministry of Finance for the past three years, was arrested at 01:00 h last Saturday when he was in bed at home.

The lawyer said a lot of information would be revealed at the trial.

Bagot, who was unrepresented by counsel, told the Court he is a porkknocker, at Mahdia, Potaro and does not know anything about the matter.

Griffith successfully opposed bail for both accused, on the ground that it is likely they would commit other such offences.

The Prosecutor said this is a case in which the young men before the Court, together with others, decided they would burn a number of places.

Griffith said, in this country that is facing all kinds of economic problems, this kind of behaviour cannot be condoned.

According to the Prosecutor, the Police are in receipt of statements by the accused, in which they admitted their involvement in the destruction by arson.

Westford and Bagot were remanded to prison until August 7.