A man accused of murdering his former partner's sister and her three young children in a devastating house fire told a court he had intended to set himself alight rather than harm others.
The Tragic Incident
Sharaz Ali, 40, is alleged to have set fire to the home of 29-year-old Bryonie Gawith and her three children in the early hours of August 21 last year. The horrific blaze claimed the lives of all four occupants: Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle.
Prosecutors at Doncaster Crown Court stated that Ali's actions were 'motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs' following the breakdown of his seven-year relationship with Antonia Gawith earlier that month.
Courtroom Testimony
The court heard that Ali had consumed cocaine and vodka before travelling to the Bradford property with a petrol canister and lighter. He claimed his intention was self-immolation after Antonia, who was staying at her sister's house, told him she wanted to separate.
'To set myself alight,' Ali responded when questioned about his intentions with the petrol. He explained that he had decided the day before the fire that he wanted to die by suicide in front of Antonia, stating his motivation was 'because I love her and I want to see her.'
During what was described as a 'scuffle', Antonia attempted to grab the petrol canister from him, causing fuel to splash on both of them before Ali pushed her out of the house. 'I didn't want her to get hurt and I knew what I was going to do,' he told the court.
Threatening Messages and Relationship Breakdown
The jury heard that one month before the fatal fire, the couple had argued while Antonia was on holiday without him. She sent him a text message stating 'I don't love you anymore' and expressed her desire to separate.
Three days before the alleged attack, Ali sent Antonia a disturbing message: 'I know who caused all this in my life whether they meant to or not they better start praying. I promise you one thing they're going to regret it, not going to look back, love you xx.'
Ali admitted sending the message but described it as 'an empty threat' that wasn't meant to mean anything. The couple reportedly spoke via WhatsApp call shortly after the message was sent, where he insisted he meant nothing by it.
The court heard that the primary cause of the couple's arguments was Ali's drinking and cocaine use, though he denied striking Antonia or preventing her from seeing friends and family during their relationship.
Additional Defendants and Charges
Ali and Calum Sunderland face charges of murdering Bryonie Gawith and her three children, along with the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith. Prosecutors alleged that Sunderland kicked the house's door in during the incident.
Another man, Mohammed Shabir, 45, was due to stand trial with the other defendants but died of a heart attack last month after collapsing in prison. Prosecutors stated that Shabir drove to and from the house on the night of the fire.
The court previously heard that police officers rescued Ali from the fire, arresting him at the scene where he refused treatment from paramedics. Both Ali and Sunderland deny all charges against them.
