Man killed ex-girlfriend's sister and children in 'revenge' house fire, court hears

A man who allegedly attempted to murder his ex-girlfriend allegedly ended up killing the woman's sister and her three children in a "catastrophic" house fire, a court has heard. Jurors were told Sharaz Ali was "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" when he allegedly set fire to the home of Bryonie Gawith and her three small children in the early hours of August 21 last year.

Prosecutors say Mr Ali went to the house in Westbury Road, Bradford, looking to "take revenge" on his former partner, Bryonie's sister Antonia Gawith, who was staying there at the time. Doncaster Crown Court heard Mr Ali and his associate, Calum Sunderland, forced their way into the house before Mr Ali allegedly poured petrol inside and set it alight.

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 blaze.

Mr Ali, 40, of no fixed address, and Mr Sunderland, 26, of Calton Street, 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 in October after collapsing in prison.

Opening the case on Tuesday, prosecutor David Brooke KC stated that the men drove from Keighley to Bradford just before 2 am, stopping to purchase a seven-litre can of petrol en route.

He told jurors ring doorbell footage captured Mr Ali telling Mr Sunderland, who was carrying the petrol and a lighter, to "kick the door in", which he did before running back to the car.

Mr Brooke said Ali went inside, poured petrol in the house and set a light to it. The prosecutor said: "Sharaz Ali was himself caught by his own actions and was later pulled out of the house by the police, badly injured."

Jurors heard Mr Sunderland and Mohammed Shabir, who was driving, fled the scene in Mr Shabir's car back to Bradford.

Mr Brooke said: "The main mover in what happened was plainly Sharaz Ali. Motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs, it is obvious he decided to take revenge on his ex-partner Antonia regardless of the potential consequences for others.

"We, the prosecution, say that when you look at what he did, there is only one sensible conclusion that can be reached. That he went to the house at 2am, intending to kill at least Antonia Gawith by burning the house down.

"Tragically, he killed her sister and three small children."

Jurors heard Mr Ali and Antonia were together for about seven years in an "abusive relationship" made worse "by his drinking".

Mr Brooke said Bryonie had encouraged her sister to leave Mr Ali on several occasions. The court heard Antonia decided to separate from Mr Ali while she was on holiday with Bryonie and her children in August last year.

She took the decision after Mr Ali phoned her while drunk and caused "yet another argument", jurors heard.

Mr Brooke said she agreed to stay with her sister for a few days while Ali moved out of her home.

He told the court Mr Ali "was not happy about the break-up" and continued to call and text her over the next few days, sometimes becoming "aggressive" towards Antonia and her sister.

On the night of the fire, Mr Ali spoke to Mr Sunderland on the phone before texting Antonia just after midnight to ask what time she finished work, later sending her more aggressive messages.

Mr Ali and Mr Sunderland deny the charges. The trial continues.