A man accused of causing an explosion which killed five people and destroyed a building has denied being involved. The blast at a Polish convenience store in Leicester in February is alleged to have been an insurance scam.
The prosecution claimed Hawkar Hassan, one of three defendants, was the getaway driver. But Mr Hassan told Leicester Crown Court: "It is nothing to do with me, I would not do this even for my mum or dad."
It is alleged Mr Hassan's role was to drive his co-defendant Arkan Ali from the scene of the explosion to a house they used in Coventry. When his defence put this to him, he said: "No, I'd never do this, this is wrong. It is nothing to do with me, I would not do this even for my mum or dad."
He told the jury he was "shocked" when he first heard about the explosion the next morning.
Mr Hassan also denied claims he and the other defendants met in Leicester's Highcross shopping centre on the day of the explosion to plan the crime.
All the defendants deny five charges of murder, five charges of manslaughter and a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
The trial continues.
