A provisional trial date has been set in the case of a man who stands accused of arson following a blaze at a flat in Penrith.
Eren Zihni, 38, faces two charges. Both arise out of a fire at a property in the town’s Carleton Road — belonging to housing group My Space — on March 18 this year at a time when he was resident there.
One charge alleges arson being reckless as to whether both property was destroyed or damaged, and being reckless as to whether the life of another would be endangered.
A second charge also alleges arson but merely that Zihni was reckless as to whether property would be destroyed or damaged.
A third charge faced by Zihni alleges affray: that he used or threatened unlawful violence towards another, and that his conduct would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.
No pleas were entered by Zihni, latterly of Carleton Road, Penrith, when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court Court remotely today over a video link from custody.
His lawyer, Jeff Smith, asked for arraignment to be postponed pending the preparation of a doctor’s psychiatric report examining the defendant’s background circumstances, and whether he is fit to enter a plea or stand trial. It is estimated this report will take several weeks to conclude.
In the meantime, Recorder David Temkin QC fixed a provisional date for trial in front of a jury. This would start on September 5 and, it is estimated, would last around two to three days.
Zihni is next due to attend a crown court hearing on June 24, when the progress of his case and available background information will be assessed, and a way forward agreed.
In the meantime, Zihni was remanded in custody by Recorder Temkin.
