Man Testifies Dead Friend Started Fatal Fire, Framed Innocent People
A man currently on trial for murder has made startling claims in court, alleging that his deceased friend was responsible for a house fire that killed an elderly couple, then attempted to blame two innocent individuals for the deadly arson attack. The tragic incident occurred on July 15, 2025, at a residence on South John Street in St Helens, claiming the lives of Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83.
Three Defendants Face Murder Charges in Liverpool Crown Court
Three individuals—Kevin Weetman, 34, from Croxteth Drive in Aigburth; Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address; and Kylie Maynard, 37, from Rydal Street in Everton—are currently standing trial at Liverpool Crown Court, accused of murdering the elderly couple. However, Paul Smith, who was allegedly involved in setting the fire, died exactly one week after the incident on July 22, 2025.
During recent testimony, Owens admitted his involvement in starting the fire but maintained he only intended to damage the building, not cause harm to anyone inside. "I didn't even know none of them," Owens told the court, referring to the victims. He described meeting Smith approximately four weeks before the fire and recalled that on the night of the incident, both men had consumed drugs and vodka at Owens' sister's house on Cassia Close in Walton.
Owens Details Night of the Fire and Expresses Remorse
Owens testified that he used Google Maps on his phone to locate the South John Street address and helped guide Smith to the property. When questioned about a witness hearing someone say "just do it" at the scene, Owens responded, "I could have done, to hurry him up. It didn't feel comfortable there. I just wanted to go. I was drugged up to the eyeballs and drunk."
Expressing profound remorse during his testimony, Owens stated, "Absolutely devastated, heartbroken. Two innocent old people have died. I just wish I could turn back time. Just devastated over what happened. I wish I could just turn it back." He further claimed that Smith had "set me up" and insisted, "I'm guilty of being stupid, that's what I'm guilty of."
Prosecution Alleges Drug-Related Motive Behind Arson Attack
The prosecution's opening statement last month revealed that the fire was allegedly part of a plan targeting Sheila Jackson's son, George Jackson, rather than the elderly couple themselves. According to court proceedings, about a month before the fire, Weetman and Maynard had attempted to recruit George Jackson to work as a drug dealer for Weetman.
The prosecution detailed that Jackson had previously helped Maynard after she was robbed of drugs, allowing her to stay at his home—the same residence where his mother Sheila and her partner Eric lived. When Jackson declined Weetman's repeated offers to deal drugs, the situation reportedly escalated, with Weetman demanding payment for cocaine he had given Jackson.
The prosecution asserted, "While there was, on the face of it, no threat made, the crown say that Mr Weetman decided to take action to prevent a loss of face. Face is all important in the drugs world, and he set in motion a plan to kill, or at least cause really serious harm to, George Jackson by setting fire to his house in the middle of night."
Defendants Enter Varied Pleas as Trial Continues
Weetman and Maynard have both denied murder charges but have admitted to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Owens has pleaded not guilty to murder but has previously confessed to two counts of manslaughter. All three defendants maintain they had no intention to kill the elderly couple, with Weetman and Maynard specifically denying any involvement in setting the fire.
The prosecution emphasized that while the law does not require specific intent regarding victims, "Eric and Sheila were not the intended victims of the blaze." Firefighters and paramedics managed to rescue the couple from the burning building, but both succumbed to their injuries within days of the attack.
The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Jay, continues at Liverpool Crown Court as the jury hears further evidence and testimony regarding this tragic case that has left a community mourning the loss of two elderly residents in what appears to have been a case of mistaken identity in a drug-related dispute.
