MAN GUILTY OF MURDERING WOMAN AND CHILDREN IN BRADFORD HOUSE FIRE
A man has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend's sister and her three children in a house fire in Bradford.Sharaz Ali killed Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, after setting fire to their home in a revenge attack when Bryonie's sister, Antonia, ended their relationship.
The 40-year-old was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith in the blaze on 21 August 2024, after a trial at Doncaster Crown Court.
Co-accused Calum Sunderland, 26, was cleared of murder and attempted murder but found guilty of four counts of manslaughter for his role in breaking into the family's house where Antonia had been staying.
Speaking outside court, Antonia Gawith said: "Even with justice, nothing will ever make this right." The trial heard Ali "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" had wanted to "inflict maximum pain" with the fire and "did not care who was there" although prosecutors said he must have known the children were at home.
Ali, who claimed he had intended to take his own life in the fire, was seriously injured and suffered burns to 80% of his body.
Medics initially believed he would not survive after he was placed in an induced coma for four months.
On the night of the fatal blaze, Ali recruited Sunderland, who sometimes sold drugs for him, to accompany him to Bryonie's home in Westbury Road, Bradford.
They filled a canister with fuel from a petrol station in Keighley and Ali sent Antonia a series of aggressive messages accusing her of being with someone else.
Once they arrived, Ring doorbell footage showed the two men approach the house before Ali ordered Sunderland to kick down the door.
As Sunderland fled, Ali went inside and began pouring petrol around the property.
Antonia Gawith confronted Ali and tried to wrestle the canister and lighter from him, before running outside.
Ali attempted to get upstairs but was confronted by Bryonie and forced back down, where he hit the lighter, igniting the petrol and setting himself and the house on fire.
Bryonie and her children, who were asleep upstairs, were unable to escape.
Jurors were told the children likely lost consciousness quickly due to smoke inhalation.
Ali's conviction includes four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Sunderland was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter for his role and will be sentenced later.
