Melvin, Hudder arraigned on 14 charges

"I love you, Perry ' Rat."

Jimmy Melvin uttered those words to Det.-Const. Perry Astephen, a plainclothes Halifax Regional Police officer on Thursday as he was led away from a Halifax courtroom.

Outside the courtroom, Mr. Melvin alleged that police had kidnapped his brother.

Jimmy Melvin Jr. and Andrew Jason Hudder were arraigned in Halifax provincial court on 14 charges relating to five fires and a break-in and theft.

Mr. Melvin's younger brother and co-accused, Cory Patrick Melvin, 21, remains on the loose and police have a warrant out for his arrest.

As he entered the courtroom under tight security, Mr. Melvin also told his supporters sitting in the courtroom gallery he was assaulted.

"They beat the s- -t out of me again," he said, without giving more details.

Mr. Hudder's lawyer, Warren Zimmer, requested the case be adjourned until Sept. 26.

Mr. Melvin and Mr. Hudder are in custody on other matters. Crown attorney Christine Driscoll told the court she is opposed to their release on the current charges.

The fires, some ignited with Molotov cocktails, took place last September through November at homes and businesses in Fairview, Dartmouth and Bayers Lake Business Park. No one was hurt in the fires.

Police are still investigating a number of other suspicious fires, some of which took place at properties owned by members of the Melvin family.

sborden@herald.ca