A BEAUTY lecturer told a triple murder trial one of the accused threatened to burn down a pub.

Fay Williams, 36, was giving evidence at the trial of Scott Snowden, 37, and Robert Jennings, 50, who deny murdering Thomas Sharkey, 55, his son Thomas Jr, 21, and his eight-year-old daughter Bridget at their home in Helensburgh, Argyll, in July 24, 2011.

Snowden also denies committing a breach of the peace in the Teak and Ash public house in West Princes Street, Helensburgh, on July 11, 2010.

Miss Williams from Wrexham in Wales said she had been in the Teak and Ash with her boyfriend Mark Sharkey, his cousin Michael Sharkey and Snowden.

She said they had been asked to leave because Mark Sharkey was barred.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident in which Mark Sharkey is seen throwing two bar stools at the gantry.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice, QC, asked her: "Did you hear Scott Snowden say something?" and Miss Williams replied: "Yes in the bar after one of the bar stools had been thrown.

"I was beside the bar and he was beside the snooker table or pool table.

"He said: 'It's sorted and it'll get burned down'."

Miss Williams added that she was disgusted by Mark Sharkey's behaviour and said she left when she heard police sirens.

She was then asked when she learned about the fire at the Sharkey home and replied that it was in the afternoon of July 24, 2011.

When asked who told her she replied: "It was Mark Sharkey who phoned to tell me. He was working at the time."

The trial before Lord Matthews continues.