A 23-year-old man, Jaden Wright, has denied two counts of murder after a house fire on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, on 26 August that killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt. The victims were named as Valentina Foster (7) and Natalie McDonald (34). Wright has also denied multiple counts of grievous bodily harm and attempted GBH relating to six people who were in the home; two adults and two teenagers were injured. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on 18 December, with a trial provisionally set for 19 April.
Man Denies Murder After Grangetown House Fire That Killed Child And Aunt
Natalie McDonald and her niece Valentina Foster died in the house fire [Supplied]
A 23-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder after a house fire in Grangetown that claimed the lives of a seven-year-old girl and her aunt.
The victims were identified as seven-year-old Valentina Foster and 34-year-old Natalie McDonald. The blaze broke out in the early hours of 26 August at a property on Birchington Avenue, near Middlesbrough.
Court Proceedings
Jaden Wright appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link and denied two counts of murder. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, relating to six people who were in the house when the fire started. Two adults and two teenagers suffered injuries in the incident.
In addition to the fire-related charges, Wright denied causing a woman grievous bodily harm and intentionally strangling her in an alleged incident the day before the fire.
Custody And Next Steps
Wright, who is of no fixed address, was remanded in custody. He is due to return to Teesside Crown Court on 18 December, and was told his trial is provisionally listed to begin on 19 April.
Source: HM Courts & Tribunals.
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