Man accused of murder of mother and three children in Bradford house fire 'in a coma'

A man arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene of a deliberate house fire in Bradford is in a coma.

Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children, Denisty Birtle, 9, Oscar Birtle, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died following the blaze at their home in Westbury Road, in the early hours of August 21.

The young mother died at the scene and the children died from their injuries in hospital.

On Thursday, two men made their first appearance in court in connection with the fire.

Mohammed Shabir, 44, of Alice Street, Keighley, and Calum Sunderland, 25, of Calton Street, Keighley, are charged with murdering Ms Gawith and the three children, and attempting to murder Antonia Gawith.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean told Bradford Crown Court there was a third person who was in a coma who "may not recover."

"He is, at the moment, very unwell and the expectation is that he may not recover. He may, but at the moment there is a degree of uncertainty.

There is a possibility there will be two further defendants, perhaps three, on different offences but linked."

Shabir and Sunderland, who appeared on a video link from prison, were not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

They were remanded in custody until their next appearance at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 25.

Judge Jonathan Rose set a provisional trial date of March 4.

Mr Bean said the trial was expected to last between eight and 10 days, but could be longer if there are other defendants or if the third suspect recovers.

Police said Sunderland was arrested following police inquiries in the Keighley area of the city in the early hours of Monday morning.

Shabir was arrested when he attended a police station after 10am on the same day.

West Yorkshire Police said four other people remain under investigation, including a 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in hospital in a critical condition.

In a statement issued via the force last week, the family of the victims said the loss of “our B” and the children, referred to as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry”, had brought “unimaginable sadness and grief”.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.