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Man killed ex-partner's sister and her three children in 'revenge' house fire, court told
A man who allegedly tried to murder his ex-partner ended up killing her sister and her three children in a house fire, a trial has heard.
Prosecutors told a jury that Sharaz Ali was "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" when he set fire to Bryonie Gawith's home early on 21 August last year. Jurors heard that Ali went to the property, on Westbury Road, Bradford, aiming to "take revenge" on his ex, Antonia Gawith, who was staying there after ending their "abusive" seven-year relationship earlier that month.
Ali and his associate, Calum Sunderland, forced their way into the home before Ali poured petrol around inside and set it alight, Doncaster Crown Court was told. Antonia Gawith managed to escape, but Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died in the fire.
Ali, 40, of no fixed address, and Sunderland, 26, of Keighley, are charged with murdering the family as well as attempting to murder Antonia Gawith. Mohammed Shabir, 45, who had been due to go on trial with them, died of a heart attack last month after collapsing in jail.
Prosecutor David Brooke KC said the men drove from Keighley to Bradford just before 2am, stopping to buy a seven-litre can of petrol on the journey. He told jurors that Ali was captured on ring doorbell footage telling Sunderland, who was carrying the petrol and a lighter, to "kick the door in.
Amir Nisi
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