The trial of two men accused of murdering a mother and her three children in a horrific house fire was dramatically halted on Tuesday after one defendant told the court he could not continue giving evidence.
Courtroom Drama as Defendant Refuses to Continue
Calum Sunderland, 26, was being cross-examined for a second day at Doncaster Crown Court when he suddenly stopped answering questions. The defendant, who is on trial alongside Sharaz Ali, 40, turned to look at the dock and declared, "I'm going back there."
Mr Justice Hilliard urged Sunderland to continue, stressing the importance of his testimony. Sunderland replied, "Honestly, I'm done, I can't do this." The jury was subsequently asked to leave the courtroom.
Upon their return, the judge informed them that the case would adjourn for the day. "We'll all have to be patient," he stated, acknowledging the immense strain of the proceedings, particularly for the defendants facing such grave allegations.
The Alleged Revenge Attack in Bradford
Prosecutors allege that the fire on Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21 last year, was a botched revenge attack. They claim Ali enlisted Sunderland, a crack cocaine addict, to target his former partner, Antonia Gawith, who was staying at the house after ending what is described as an abusive relationship.
The court has heard that Ali entered the property and began pouring petrol inside, as well as on himself and Antonia. She managed to run outside in an attempt to lure him out. However, Ali allegedly remained inside and used a lighter to start the blaze.
The fire tragically killed Antonia's sister, 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith, and her three children: Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, who were all upstairs. Antonia Gawith survived.
The Defendants' Accounts and Evidence
Sunderland, of Calton Street, Keighley, and Ali, of no fixed address, both deny four counts of murder and the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith. A third man, Mohammed Shabir, 45, died of a heart attack while on remand before the trial.
During his evidence on Monday, Sunderland claimed he had been recruited only to "burn a car" and said he would never have gone to the house if he had known people were inside. He stated he did not know whose car he was supposed to torch and did not ask.
Prosecutors, however, point to Ring doorbell camera footage which they say shows Sunderland walking up to the house holding a petrol canister, kicking the door down on Ali's instruction, and then running away.
The court previously heard that Ali was rescued from the burning house by police officers who were first on the scene. The trial is scheduled to resume on Wednesday at 10.30am.
