The mother and brother of an 18-year-old woman who died in a house fire in North Shields have appeared in court, denying charges of manslaughter. Danielle Johnson, 43, and Louis Casson, 19, entered not guilty pleas at Newcastle Crown Court in connection with the death of Leah Casson. The fatal blaze occurred at her home on Vicarage Street in North Shields, North Tyneside, in January 2023.
Co-defendants and Additional Charges
Alongside Johnson and Casson, Calvin Smith, 37, also pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. Furthermore, Johnson and Smith denied abstracting electricity between August and November 2022. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of abstracting electricity from November 2022 to January 2023, the period during which the fatal fire took place.
Bail and Trial Date
The three defendants were granted bail by the court. Their trial is scheduled to begin on 5 October and is expected to last four weeks. A fourth individual, Craig Watson, who was also implicated in the case, has died in prison.
The court proceedings continue as the family seeks justice for Leah Casson, whose untimely death has deeply affected the local community in North Shields.
