A NEWLY-WED accused of burning down three floors of a historic castle near Chester has appeared in court.
Max Henry Kay, 36, of Waylands Drive, Hunts Cross, Liverpool, is charged with two counts of arson following the blaze at Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley.
The property developer was arrested on June 19 after the incident at the Grade I listed building, which is a luxury wedding venue owned by the Naylor family.
The fire is believed to have caused £1.5m worth of damage to the venue after it was tackled by more than 100 firefighters from across the region.
Kay, a father of two, was the groom at a wedding party which had been using the venue at the time of the blaze.
About 70 hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated from the property, a 19th century country house built in the style of a castle.
At the preliminary hearing yesterday at Chester Crown Court, Kay’s bail was extended until October 10 when he will enter his plea.