Trial date fixed after fire that killed family

Bryonie Gawith's three children all died in the house fire

Three men accused of murdering a mother and her three children in a house fire in Bradford will stand trial later this year.

Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children, Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, all died in the fire on Westbury Road on 21 August last year.

Sharaz Ali, 40, Mohammed Shabir, 45, and Calum Sunderland, 26, have been charged with their murders and with the attempted murder of Ms Gawith's sister and Mr Ali's ex-partner, Antonia Gawith.

Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard set a trial date of 17 November at Bradford Crown Court after Mr Ali, who was the last of the accused to enter a plea, denied the charges against him.

Mr Shabir, of Carlby Grove, Keighley, and Mr Sunderland, of Langbar Avenue, Keighley, have also denied the charges. All three men have pleaded not guilty to a further charge of Section 18 wounding with intent against Ms Gawith.

Mr Ali, of Langbar Avenue, Bradford, was seriously injured in the incident. Doctors had been unsure if he would survive, but he was transferred from hospital to prison in April after making a "marked recovery" and appeared in court via video link earlier.

His barrister, Mohammed Mawaz, said his client may appear via video link for some parts of the trial due to his health, but this would need the approval of Mr Justice Hilliard.

All three defendants were remanded in custody.