A man has been sentenced to a whole-life order for the murder of his ex-partner's sister and her three children in an arson attack in Bradford. Sharaz Ali, 40, was convicted of killing Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children – Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months – after setting fire to their home in the early hours of 21 August 2024.
The court heard that Ali, who was “motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs”, targeted the house because he blamed Bryonie for the breakdown of his abusive seven-year relationship with her sister, Antonia. Antonia, who was the intended victim, managed to escape the blaze but was “haunted” by the knowledge that the attack was meant for her. In a tearful victim impact statement, she said: “What haunts me the most is the attack was meant for me. I was the target; petrol was poured on me and my life was meant to end that night.”
Sentencing Ali at Doncaster Crown Court, Mr Justice Hilliard said his intention was to “wipe out a family” and that the children were “acceptable collateral damage” because of his hatred for Bryonie. The judge described the murders as involving “substantial premeditation”, adding that Ali had determined to burn down the house and anyone in it if Antonia did not change her mind. He also praised Bryonie’s courage, saying she “acted with immense courage” by staying with her children rather than fleeing.
Calum Sunderland, 27, a crack-cocaine addict who accompanied Ali and kicked in the door, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for manslaughter. The judge said Sunderland “knew the house was occupied” and agreed to an “extraordinarily dangerous” scheme. He added: “He played with fire and four people died as a result.”
Ali, a drug dealer, was rescued from the fire by police officers but suffered burns to 70% of his body, had two fingers on each hand amputated, and still requires oxygen. He was tried after recovering from a coma. The whole-life order means he will never be released from prison.
