Latest news with #SheilaJackson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
First picture of man accused of killing couple in arson attack
A man accused of killing an elderly couple in a house fire has been pictured for the first time. Lee Owens, 46, is accused of the murders of Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, who both died following the fire at their home on South John Street, St Helens, on Tuesday, July 15. Owens made his first appearance in Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday morning, charged with two counts of murder and two counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Appearing in the docks wearing a grey sweatshirt, he spoke only to confirm his date of birth and lack of a fixed address. No indication of plea was given. The case was immediately sent to the Crown Court, where Owens is due to appear on Tuesday, July 29. READ MORE: Bar on one of Liverpool's most famous streets faces council investigation READ MORE: KFC to take over site on street filled with rivals Owens was denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges. Brian Jackson, defending, said: "There is no opportunity for bail and the matter needs to go to the Crown Court." Bench chairman Mark Appleton said: "We have heard this court cannot deal with (the case) and it will now need to be brought to Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday morning. Until then you are remanded in custody." Paying tribute to Ms Greener and Mc Jackson in the wake of the incident, the family said in a statement: "Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King, were a deeply loved mum, nan, great nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple. 'They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.' In the days following the fatal fire, Merseyside Police said accelerant had been used. Neighbours told the ECHO how the front door was enveloped in flames, slowing down firefighters' attempts to rescue the couple. Speaking to the ECHO from Merseyside Police's HQ, detective superintendent Rachel Wilson said the grandparents had been together for 30 years and had been living at the address in St Helens for 15 years. Detective chief inspector Steve McGrath, who is leading the investigation, said: 'Firstly, I want to express my condolences to the family of Mr Greener and Ms Jackson as this tragic time and we have specialist officers in place to support them. 'This is a truly shocking incident and I'm sure that the community and everyone in Merseyside will be utterly appalled at what has happened. 'It's difficult to comprehend how someone could deliberately start a fire while two elderly people are inside the home. It's absolutely sickening, and we are determined to find the person or people responsible. 'An investigation is ongoing as we look to establish exactly why this has happened and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. 'If you live in this community and saw or heard something suspicious at any point during this evening, please let us know as a matter of urgency. 'Also, if you have CCTV or a smart doorbell, take the time to review any footage you have to see if you captured anything that could prove to be significant. Even if it appears to be a small detail, it could end up being vital to our inquiries. 'I would also ask that any drivers who have dashcam footage and were in the area of South John Street and Parr Street between midnight and 1am to contact us if you have captured anything significant.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Man appears in court after couple's death in fire
A man who has been charged with the murder of a couple who died in a house fire has appeared in Greener, 77, and 83-year-old Sheila Jackson died at their home in South John Street, St Helens, Merseyside on 15 Owens, 46, of no fixed address, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Saturday after he was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder after great-grandparents killed in St Helens house fire
A man has been charged with murder after two great-grandparents died following an arson attack on their home in St Helens last week. Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died after the fire in Merseyside in the early hours of 15 July. Police said Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Friday. He has been remanded in custody and is to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Merseyside Police said a 31-year-old man from St Helens, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remains on conditional bail. The force also said an accelerant was used to start the fire on South John Street, where Mr Greener and Ms Shelia had lived for 15 years. The pair were rescued from their home and taken to hospital after emergency services were called at 12.40am. Read more from Sky News: Mr Greener died on the evening of 16 July, while Ms Jackson died the next morning. In a tribute released on Thursday, the victims' family said they were "the life and soul of the party" and would "forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved".
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with murdering great-grandparents after arson attack on St Helens home
A man has been charged with the murder of two great-grandparents after a 'sickening' arson attack on their St Helens home. Described as 'the life and soul of the party' by family, Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, died following the fire at their home in Merseyside in the early hours of 15 July. Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Friday, Merseyside Police said. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday. A 31-year-old man from St Helens who was arrested on suspicion of murder remains on conditional bail. The force said an accelerant was used to start the blaze at the home on South John Street, where the couple had lived for 15 years. The pair were rescued from their home and taken to hospital after emergency services were called at 12.40am on 15 July. Mr Greener died on Wednesday night, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday morning. In a tribute released on Thursday, the victims' family said the pair would 'forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved'. They said: 'Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King, were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple. 'They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. 'They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.' Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath previously described the arson attack as 'sickening' and 'a truly shocking incident'. Speaking earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: 'I know the community in St Helens is still feeling the shock and sadness of Eric and Sheila's tragic deaths. 'Our investigation team have been carrying out extensive inquiries into the incident.'
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man charged with murdering great-grandparents in Merseyside arson attack
A man has been charged with the murder of two great-grandparents who died after an arson attack on their home. Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, died following the fire at their home in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of July 15th. Advertisement Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Friday, Merseyside Police said. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday. A 31-year-old man from St Helens who was arrested on suspicion of murder remains on conditional bail, the force said. Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the blaze at the home on South John Street, where the couple had lived for 15 years. Advertisement The pair were rescued from their home and taken to hospital after emergency services were called at 12:40am on July 15th. Mr Greener died on Wednesday night, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday morning. In a tribute released on Thursday, the victims' family said they were 'the life and soul of the party' and would 'forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved'. Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath previously described the arson attack as 'sickening' and 'a truly shocking incident'. Advertisement
