THE partner of a man accused of dousing two men in petrol and igniting it has claimed a detective put her under pressure to make a statement.

Pauline Kelly was a prosecution witness in the Manchester Crown Court trial of William Oakes, 35, who denies murder and attempted murder.

"I was asked to make a second statement some hours after I made the first...and there were bits added on," she alleged.

"They said they were going to put me in jail and get the kids taken off me, but I had done nothing wrong. "The police were saying they would lock me up if I did not sign the statement."

Ms Kelly alleged a detective sergeant said she could be accused of being an accomplice in the burning of the two men if she did not sign the statement.

The jury has heard the couple's lodger, Stuart Corkhill, 49, died from severe burns three days after the fire at the house in Meadow Walk, Farnworth, in January. The other man, Sean Gallagher, 39, had superficial burns to his face, arms and hands and made a good recovery.

The Crown says the men were deliberately doused with petrol which was then ignited in a row over the heroin substitute methadone.

Mr Oakes later told police he had intended only to frighten the two men, but petrol was accidentally spilled and ignited.

Ms Kelly, in evidence, said her partner was angry about the methadone and had said he intended to kick out Mr Corkhill.

"Mr Oakes did not say shortly before the incident he was thinking of setting fire to Sean and Stuart. "I did not tell the police that...and he did not say it," she said.

She protested to her partner when she saw the petrol in their home and, fearing there could be trouble that evening, sent her children to the shops.

The trial is continuing.