An 18-year-old train passenger left M>Train a damage bill of $2.7 million after he lit a fire on board a Sandringham-bound train two years ago, the County Court was told yesterday.

Justin Constantinou of Bateman Street, Hampton, was on the 11.32pm train from Flinders Street on August 30, 2002, when the fire broke out, the court was told.



Constantinou, now 20, has pleaded not guilty to one count of arson and one count of reckless conduct endangering life.



Another passenger said he saw the accused make a pile of newspapers in a corner just before the fire broke out.



Defence barrister Graham Thomas, SC, said Constantinou told police it was a cigarette butt he had discarded that caused the fire. The trial is continuing.



The Age, 17 March 2004, p8