28-07-2025
Man denies murdering mother and her three children, aged one, five and nine in Bradford house fire
A man has denied murdering a mother and her three children who died in a Bradford house fire.
Bryonie Gawith, 28, nine-year-old Denisty Birtle, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle died after the blaze at their home in Westbury Road, in the early hours of August 21.
Sharaz Ali, 39, of no fixed address, is charged with murdering the family, as well as attempting to murder Ms Gawith's sister, Antonia Gawith.
He has today appeared before Bradford Crown Court over a video link from HMP Leeds.
He pleaded not guilty to all five charges, as well as a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Antonia Gawith.
He appeared alongside his co-accused Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, both from Keighley.
They are charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Earlier hearings have been told that Ali had been in a coma since the fire and was not expected to be well enough to stand trial, even if he did wake up.
His prognosis was later revised and, following a 'marked improvement' in his condition at the beginning of this year, Ali was charged with the offences in March after doctors found him fit to stand trial.
He appeared at his first court hearings via video link from his hospital bed, before being moved to prison.
The three defendants appeared together remotely from prison at Monday's hearing, when prosecutor David Brooke KC said Ali 'does appear to be fit'.
Their trial is expected to go ahead on November 17, the court heard.
In an emotional statement issued by police following the shocking deaths last August, the family said the loss of 'our B' and the children, referred to as 'Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry', had brought 'unimaginable sadness and grief'.
The tribute read: 'Our B was the life and soul of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she would always be singing and dancing with Chuch (Denisty), Oggy (Oscar) and Strawberry (Aubree).
'B was always a really happy, joyful, bubbly beautiful woman, who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone, her kids were everything to her, her whole life.
'Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl.
'We are still trying to comprehend what has happened to our beautiful family.
'No words can describe how we are feeling and no words could ever make up for the profound loss we are now faced with.
'We are overwhelmed and grateful for all the support and kind words we are receiving, but we ask as a family if we can be given the respect and privacy so we can try to come to terms with the unimaginable sadness and grief of this tragic loss of our beautiful family.
'Also our thoughts and support for the father of our three babies. Please allow him peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of his family.'
