Man denies murdering pensioner who died after fire

A terraced two-storey house shows fire damage on the ground floor, first floor outer wall, window and part of the roof. Two people in a forensic outfit are at the front door while a policewoman is guarding the property outside.

The fire broke out in Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, in May

A man has denied murdering a pensioner who died days after a house fire in the West Midlands.

Andrew Gorrell, 53, from Moss Grove, Saltney in Flintshire, Wales, pleaded not guilty to murder and arson with intent to endanger life at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

John Edwards, 82, and three others were seriously injured after the fire in Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, in the early hours of 11 May and Mr Edwards later died in hospital on 25 May.

Mr Gorrell also denied three counts of attempted murder relating to Doreen Edwards, Mark Edwards and Carl Edwards.

Judge Simon Ward set a trial date for 28 January 2025 and said a pre-trial hearing would be held on 7 November.

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