TWO men torched the home of a mum and her young son over a drugs debt against her partner, a court heard.

Andrew Milne and Jacob (Jake) Barnard are accused of the murder of Gina Ingles, 34, and her four-year-old son Milo Ingles-Bailey in Eastbourne.

They are also accused of the attempted murder of Toby Jarrett, who escaped the fire at the terraced property in Croxden Way when he fell out of a window.

Ms Ingles was later found dead in her bedroom crouching over her son Milo to protect him, and a dog they were looking after was also huddled with them.

At Brighton Crown Court, the two defendants are accused of pouring petrol into the family home that led to the mother and son’s death.

John Tabakis is also on trial for intending to pervert the course of justice by removing a vehicle linked to the alleged crime.

Kate Lumsdon QC, prosecuting, said Toby Jarrett owed £400 to drug dealers over drug use.

It was owed to a man called John Sanders, who in turn owed money to Jake Barnard in Portugal.

She told a jury: “We are sorry to say that the motive, as for so many needless deaths, was drugs.

“It was a particular drug debt and the general message sent out to the wider drug community – don’t mess with this drug line.”

The prosecutor told the court how 11 eyewitnesses called the fire brigade, who attended the scene shortly after 1am on July 10, 2018.

Firefighters saw a green petrol can and a cigarette lighter outside the front door of the property.

It took two hours to put out the inferno after flames spread through the hallway, up the stairs and up to the roof.

Ms Lumsdon revealed how Mr Jarrett and Ms Ingles awoke at 1.30am to smoke and flames.

She said: “Gina went straight to get Milo from his bed. She grabbed him and ran back into her bedroom. Flames were coming up the stairs. Toby Jarrett was badly burned as he crossed the landing after her. Back in their bedroom he opened the window wide to assess the drop into the garden.

“As he balanced on the windowsill, he fell. Struggling to his feet he shouted to Gina to pass Milo down to him.

“There was no reply. He shouted and shouted but he could not see or hear Gina or Milo.”

Ms Ingles and her son died from breathing in smoke, while Mr Jarrett was badly burned and was in a coma in hospital after the attack.

Ms Lumsdon said the prosecution will show DNA evidence, CCTV evidence, mobile phone tracking, and car registration plate tracking.

Footage showed two men calmly walking away from the area as the fire took hold.

DNA matching Barnard was found on the cigarette lighter at the scene. DNA matching Milne was found on the petrol can.

Ms Lumsdon said: “We suggest that the evidence will lead you to the firm conclusion that Jake Barnard and Andrew Milne set this fire and killed these people.”

Milne, 42, of Hastings, denies two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Barnard, 31, formerly of Eastbourne, denies two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon.

Tabakis, 30, of Hastings, denies perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.