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Leicester explosion: Shop blast accused 'did not help' | Leicester explosion: Shop blast accused 'did not help' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three men accused of killing five people in a "massive explosion" were nearby at the time and did not help, a court has heard. | Three men accused of killing five people in a "massive explosion" were nearby at the time and did not help, a court has heard. |
The blast in Leicester on 25 February destroyed a shop and the flat above it. | The blast in Leicester on 25 February destroyed a shop and the flat above it. |
The trial previously heard Viktorija Ijevleva, a shop worker and girlfriend of one of the accused, was "left to die because she knew too much". | The trial previously heard Viktorija Ijevleva, a shop worker and girlfriend of one of the accused, was "left to die because she knew too much". |
Aram Kurd, Hawkar Hassan and Arkan Ali deny murder, manslaughter and conspiring to commit fraud. | Aram Kurd, Hawkar Hassan and Arkan Ali deny murder, manslaughter and conspiring to commit fraud. |
David Herbert QC, prosecuting, said the men had planned the explosion and hoped to claim a £300,000 insurance payout for the supermarket on Hinckley Road. | |
He said CCTV showed they were all in the area at the time but failed to help. | He said CCTV showed they were all in the area at the time but failed to help. |
"Witnesses in the area all heard that massive explosion," he said. | "Witnesses in the area all heard that massive explosion," he said. |
"We say it was impossible not to hear the blast if you were anywhere near." | "We say it was impossible not to hear the blast if you were anywhere near." |
He said the men did nothing to warn Ms Ijevleva, 22, about the blast and Mr Kurd had taken her mobile phone. | He said the men did nothing to warn Ms Ijevleva, 22, about the blast and Mr Kurd had taken her mobile phone. |
"If they were responsible for the explosion and fire they had ample opportunity to warn her but they can't have done," Mr Herbert added. | "If they were responsible for the explosion and fire they had ample opportunity to warn her but they can't have done," Mr Herbert added. |
On the second day of the trial, Leicester Crown Court heard a young couple who were killed, Leah Reek and Shane Ragoobeer, both 18, had arrived at the flat only six minutes before the building exploded. | On the second day of the trial, Leicester Crown Court heard a young couple who were killed, Leah Reek and Shane Ragoobeer, both 18, had arrived at the flat only six minutes before the building exploded. |
Shane's mum, Mary Ragoobar, 46, and his 17-year-old brother Sean Ragoobeer also died. | Shane's mum, Mary Ragoobar, 46, and his 17-year-old brother Sean Ragoobeer also died. |
A third brother, Scotty Ragoobeer, was rescued from the rubble by police and passers-by. | A third brother, Scotty Ragoobeer, was rescued from the rubble by police and passers-by. |
Jurors were shown video footage of the 15-year-old shouting for help. | Jurors were shown video footage of the 15-year-old shouting for help. |
"He said his brother was trapped," said Mr Herbert. | "He said his brother was trapped," said Mr Herbert. |
"While they searched what was left of the building it became engulfed in flames. | "While they searched what was left of the building it became engulfed in flames. |
"Before long, the flames reached so high that they were above the roofs of the nearby buildings." | "Before long, the flames reached so high that they were above the roofs of the nearby buildings." |
A passer-by was also seriously injured and left unconscious among the rubble. | |
Mr Herbert said the fire was started by litres of petrol being poured into the basement of the building by Mr Ali. | |
He said it was either lit by him or shop owner Mr Kurd, while Mr Hassan acted as the getaway driver. | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |