Man accused of murdering mother and three children in Bradford house fire ‘in a coma’.

A man who was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene of a deliberate house fire in Bradford is currently in a coma. The fire, which occurred in the early hours of August 21 on Westbury Road, claimed the lives of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children: Denisty Birtle, 9, Oscar Birtle, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle. Bryonie died at the scene, while the children succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

On Thursday, Mohammed Shabir, 44, from Alice Street, Keighley, and Calum Sunderland, 25, from Calton Street, Keighley, appeared in court. They face charges of murdering Ms. Gawith and her children, as well as attempting to murder Antonia Gawith.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean informed Bradford Crown Court that a third individual, who remains in a coma, might not recover, though there is still some uncertainty regarding his condition. This individual’s potential recovery could impact the number of defendants and the nature of charges.

Shabir and Sunderland appeared via video link from prison and were not required to enter pleas. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on September 25 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Judge Jonathan Rose set a provisional trial date for March 4, with the trial expected to last between eight to ten days, potentially longer if additional defendants are involved or if the third suspect recovers.

Police reported that Sunderland was arrested after inquiries in Keighley early Monday morning, while Shabir was detained at a police station later that day. Four other individuals are still under investigation, including a 39-year-old man who was arrested at the scene and remains in critical condition in hospital.

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