Tragedy in Bradford: Family Lost in Deliberate Fire
A woman and her three small children were tragically killed after her sister's former partner allegedly set their home on fire in an act of revenge, a jury has heard. The horrific incident took place at the family's home on Westbury Road in Bradford during the early hours of August 21 last year.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, lost her life alongside her three children: nine-year-old Denisty Birtle, five-year-old Oscar Birtle, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle. The court was told that the alleged target of the attack was Ms Gawith's sister, Antonia Gawith, who managed to escape the blaze.
The Alleged Attack and Court Proceedings
Prosecutor David Brooke KC outlined the case to jurors at Doncaster Crown Court, alleging that Sharaz Ali, 40, was "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" when he set the fire. The court heard that Ali and his associate, Calum Sunderland, 26, drove from Keighley to Bradford just before 2am, stopping to purchase a seven-litre can of petrol on the way.
Ring doorbell footage allegedly captured Ali instructing Sunderland, who was carrying the petrol and a lighter, to "kick the door in". Sunderland is said to have complied before running back to the car. Ali then entered the house, poured petrol inside, and set it alight. The prosecutor stated that Ali was himself caught in the fire and was later pulled from the burning building by police, suffering serious injuries.
The driver, Mohammed Shabir, 45, who had been due to stand trial alongside the two defendants, died of a heart attack last month after collapsing in prison.
Background of a Broken Relationship
Jurors were informed that the tragic events stemmed from the breakdown of a relationship. Ali and Antonia Gawith had been together for approximately seven years in what was described as an "abusive relationship exacerbated by his drinking".
The court heard that Antonia decided to separate from Ali while on holiday with her sister Bryonie and the children in August last year. Bryonie had previously encouraged her sister to leave the relationship. After the split, Antonia agreed to stay with her sister for a few days while Ali moved out of her home.
Mr Brooke told the court that Ali "was not happy about the break-up" and sent a series of aggressive messages to Antonia and her sister in the days leading up to the fire. On the night of the tragedy, he allegedly contacted Sunderland by phone before texting Antonia just after midnight.
Sharaz Ali and Calum Sunderland have denied all charges. The trial at Doncaster Crown Court continues.
