Police investigating the firebombings of two detectives' homes suspected it might have been in revenge for a drugs raid, a court heard.

Det Insp Michael Ornellas and Det Sgt Martin Brough were involved in Operation Dawn shortly before the attacks in the early hours of January 28.

Angelo Debono, 31, Jamie Brett, 20, and Jason Eagles, 22, all of Clacton, are accused of carrying out the attacks.

The defendants, on trial at Ipswich Crown Court, all deny attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

When quizzed by the police, Debono, of Windermere Court, would not comment on the suggestion that the victims of the police drugs raid included "mates" of his, the jury heard.

Nor would he comment on the possibility that he had been approached about mounting the attack "in retribution".

In a statement read to the court, he stated that on the night of the attacks he had been to The Rocking Horse pub in Clacton and then went on to a party at The Lighthouse, another pub, before returning home with his 16-year-old girlfriend, with whom he had spent the night.

Mr Brough and his family had their newborn baby at the house when firebombs were thrown at it, at about 5am.

In a statement read to the court, Eagles, of Agincourt Road, told how he had picked up four girls, who had been out in Colchester clubbing.

After dropping them off, he had gone back with one of them and spent the rest of the night in bed with her.

Brett, of Boxted Avenue, stated he had been with the person who rented another property owned by a close friend in St Osyth Road.

  • The hearing continues