Man accused of murdering ex-partner & her three children, 1, 5 and 9, in house fire is ‘in coma and may never recover’
A MAN accused of murdering his ex and her three children in a house fire is in a coma and may never recover, a court heard today.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle were all killed in the horror in Bradford.
Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, appeared at Bradford Crown Court today charged with four counts of murder.
The court was told there was a third suspect arrested on suspicion of murder who is “in a coma” in hospital.
Police previously confirmed the 39-year-old is Bryonie’s ex-partner and he was detained at the scene.
Prosecutor Matthew Bean said: “He is, at the moment, very unwell and the expectation is that he may not recover.
“He may, but at the moment there is a degree of uncertainty.
“There is a possibility there will be two further defendants, perhaps three, on different offences but linked.”
Shabir and Sunderland, who appeared via video link, were not asked to enter pleas.
They were remanded into custody ahead of a hearing on September 25.
A provisional trial set to last at least eight days has been scheduled for March 4.
The horror unfolded last Wednesday when flames engulfed the home in the early hours.
Police said they believe the home was deliberately set alight.
A 36-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder has been released on conditional bail.
Two other people – a 54-year-old woman and 42-year-old man – were held on suspicion of assisting an offender but were released on bail.
Specialist officers are supporting the family, including the children’s dad Jonathan.
In a moving tribute, he said he was “absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancée, Bryonie and our three beautiful children”.
Jonathan added: “Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together.
“She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree and Denisty.
“I loved them with all my heart and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine life without them.
“They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart.”