A 22-YEAR-OLD man has denied starting a blaze at a Hilperton farm which caused nearly £10,000 of damage.
Christopher Hobgen, formerly of Marsh Road, Hilperton, entered a not guilty plea to arson when he appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Monday.
A barn filled with 30 tons of hay was destroyed in the early-morning blaze on land at Paxcroft Mead, belonging to housing developer JJ Gallagher.
Hobgen, who now lives in Southampton, is accused of starting the fire with matches while trespassing on farm property with two friends.
Total damage was estimated at £9,494.
Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case up to crown court for trial. Hobgen was released on unconditional bail and will reappear on March 8 at Chippenham Magistrates' Court, for the case to be formerly committed to Swindon Crown Court.
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