Man charged with murder over Middlesbrough house fire to stand trial next year
A man will stand trial next year charged with murdering a seven-year-old girl and her aunt in a house fire.
Valentina Foster and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in the blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, last Wednesday, while two adults and two teenagers were injured.
Jaden Wright, 23, did not enter pleas at a 10-minute hearing at Teesside Crown Court where he faced charges of two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said a trial was expected to last three weeks.
Judge Jonathan Carroll set a trial start date of April 14.
Wright was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing on September 23 when he is expected to enter pleas.
Earlier this week Valentina’s family released a statement which said: “It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved daughter has passed away.
“She was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words by her family, friends and everyone whose life she touched.
“Our lives have changed forever and we are struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss.
“Our daughter will always be in our hearts and her memory will live with us forever.
“Forever missed by her brothers and sisters.”