Tragic Blaze Claims Four Lives
A man has claimed in court that he accidentally spilled the petrol which started a fatal house fire, denying allegations that he murdered his former partner's sister and her three young children. Sharaz Ali, 40, is on trial at Doncaster Crown Court accused of deliberately setting fire to the home of Bryonie Gawith and her children in what prosecutors describe as a botched revenge attack.
Prosecution's Case: A Deliberate Act of Revenge
The court heard that the tragic incident occurred on 21 August last year at a property on Westbury Road in Bradford. Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, all lost their lives in the blaze. Prosecutors allege Ali was 'motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs' when he targeted the home where his former partner, Antonia Gawith, was staying after ending their 'abusive' seven-year relationship earlier that month.
Antonia Gawith gave emotional evidence, describing how she came downstairs as Ali and another man, Calum Sunderland, 26, broke into the house in the early hours. She told the court that Ali from Bradford poured petrol around the house and on her before starting to walk up the stairs, where he was allegedly kicked down by her sister Bryonie in a desperate attempt to protect the family.
Defence Claims Petrol Spilled Accidentally
On Friday, Mohammed Nawaz KC, defending Ali, presented a different version of events during cross-examination. He stated that his client denies deliberately pouring petrol, claiming instead that Ali and Antonia were wrestling with the petrol container, causing it to spill accidentally. Ali also denies going up the stairs or having any contact with Bryonie Gawith.
Antonia Gawith firmly rejected this account, telling the court: 'No. He was pouring petrol when he walked in the door and he threw it onto me. That's when I was trying to stop him from pouring it everywhere.' She tearfully described her subsequent efforts to get help for her sister, nieces and nephew who were trapped inside the burning building.
The court also heard about messages sent by Ali earlier that night, with Ms Gawith stating she could tell he had been drinking because he 'wasn't making sense when he was speaking'. She confirmed that Ali had been saying he was 'desperate to see her and have her back' and had sent her a video of him self-harming the day before while talking about killing himself.
Trial Continues as Defendants Deny Charges
Ali, of no fixed address, and Calum Sunderland, of Calton Street, Keighley, are both charged with murdering Bryonie and the three children, and attempting to murder Antonia Gawith. Prosecutors allege that Sunderland kicked the door in while another man, Mohammed Shabir, who has since died of a heart attack in prison, drove to and from the property.
Both defendants deny all charges and the trial continues at Doncaster Crown Court as the jury hears further evidence about this devastating case that has left a community in mourning.
