Three found guilty of murder over fire which claimed three lives
Three men accused of murdering a mother, her six-month old daughter and a teenage boy by starting a flat fire in a Derbyshire village have been found guilty.
Peter Eyre and his sons Anthony and Simon Eyre were found guilty by a unanimous verdict at Nottingham Crown Court this afternoon.
The fire began in the early hours of the morning of June 21st 2015. Petrol was poured outside the door of flat 59a on North Street at Langley Mill in Derbyshire - trapping the people inside.
17 year old Amy Smith, her 6-month old daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt, and 17 year old Edward Green died in the blaze. Mr Green was overcome by smoke and died at the bottom of the stairs. Amy and Ruby-Grace died together on the landing.
Amy's partner Shaun Gaunt managed to escape through a window, along with a friend.
A few days later Peter Eyre & his sons Anthony and Simon Eyre were arrested and charged with murder.
During the trial at Nottingham crown court the jury were told the fire was deliberately started as an 'act of revenge'. It was allegedly in retaliation for accusations made by Shaun Gaunt that his moped had been stolen by another of Peter Eyre's sons.
The court heard that in the early hours of June 21st, Peter, Anthony & Simon Eyre drove a black Skoda to Langley Mill for a quick recce before returning later & pouring petrol onto the door, bins, and car parked outside the flat & setting it alight.
All three denied the charges.