A man has gone on trial accused of a string of arsons over a two-year period.

Omar Mohammed Suleman denies arson charges, including allegedly burning down his uncle's home and setting the family firm's premises alight.

The 29-year-old is also accused of making numerous hoax calls to the police and fire service to report bogus fires and, in some cases, fake sightings of armed gunmen.

Luke Blackburn, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court, claimed Suleman made phone calls to a number of people, including a Mercury journalist, purporting to be the police officer who was investigating the fire-raising.

He said 26 separate fires were caused in and around Leicester, at or near addresses linked to the defendant, from 2007 to 2009.

Mr Blackburn yesterday told the court: "The fires were mostly inside buildings, domestic houses and places of work and, on occasions, vehicles.

"It's a mercy no-one was hurt as some were in occupied houses and places of work, representing a danger to people.

"Financially, his family have suffered and were also put in harm's way, as were the fire brigade.

"He damaged his own car and lit fires when he was inside buildings at home and at work. "He'd set a fire and stay until it was detected.

"Often there was more fear and chaos created than burning.

"Was part of his strange motivation for attention, or simply enjoying the fire itself?

"We don't set out to prove why he acted as he did. Unusual behaviour such as this is perhaps beyond anyone's understanding."

The defendant allegedly set fire to things using tea lights, small slow-burning fuels such as cloth, paper and cardboard.

Mr Blackburn said Suleman's relatives would be called to give evidence in the trial.

He told the jury: "You may come to the view that some of them were, and are, unable to accept the possibility that the one who lit the fires was in the very heart of their own family, someone they've nurtured and loved."

The court was told that on one occasion Suleman set fire to his own home while his family and the police were inside.

The four officers were taking statements from his relatives about earlier mystery blazes at the house, when yet another fire broke out.

The flames were doused and the family, including the defendant, was led to safety.

The house was being kept under surveillance at the time in an effort to find out who was repeatedly targeting the property at The Fairway, in Oadby.

However, in interview Suleman denied he was responsible for the blaze and told the police: "No-one is thick enough to do their own home over."

Suleman is charged with four counts of arson, recklessly endangering lives, at his parents' home at The Fairway, in March and April last year.

He is also charged with two other arson attacks at the property. At the time, his uncle's family was also living with them.

Suleman is accused of arson inside the Vista building, in St Matthew's Way, Leicester, where his family's halal food business was based, in 2007. The company moved to the Dunlop building, on Evington Valley Road, where he is also accused of arson.

Suleman further denies an arson, which virtually gutted his uncle's home, in Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, on February 14, 2008, and setting his uncle's car alight.

He faces two counts of public nuisance relating to alleged hoax calls to the emergency services.

The trial continues.