This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8368798.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Outburst halts death blaze trial Outburst halts death blaze trial
(about 2 hours later)
A murder trial was briefly halted when a mother launched a tearful outburst at Liverpool Crown Court against the man accused of killing her daughter.A murder trial was briefly halted when a mother launched a tearful outburst at Liverpool Crown Court against the man accused of killing her daughter.
Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, broke down while giving evidence against Graham Heaps, 44, accused of an arson attack in which three-year-old Francesca Bimpson died.Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, broke down while giving evidence against Graham Heaps, 44, accused of an arson attack in which three-year-old Francesca Bimpson died.
Mr Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, Newport, south Wales, denies murder.Mr Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, Newport, south Wales, denies murder.
He was the ex-boyfriend of Ms Skelhorne's sister and had started the blaze to get revenge, the court heard.He was the ex-boyfriend of Ms Skelhorne's sister and had started the blaze to get revenge, the court heard.
'Obscene texts''Obscene texts'
Ms Skelhorne became emotional when telling the jury that Mr Heaps had begun sending her lewd and obscene text messages and voicemails following the break up of his relationship with her sister.Ms Skelhorne became emotional when telling the jury that Mr Heaps had begun sending her lewd and obscene text messages and voicemails following the break up of his relationship with her sister.
Trial judge Mr Justice Henriques asked Ms Skelhorne to compose herself, and then ordered the jury out of the room and brought proceedings to a halt.Trial judge Mr Justice Henriques asked Ms Skelhorne to compose herself, and then ordered the jury out of the room and brought proceedings to a halt.
The trial resumed after a 30-minute break and Ms Skelhorne apologised to the jury for her behaviour.The trial resumed after a 30-minute break and Ms Skelhorne apologised to the jury for her behaviour.
The judge told them to disregard what they had heard and said it was their job to consider only the evidence about who had started the fire.The judge told them to disregard what they had heard and said it was their job to consider only the evidence about who had started the fire.
The prosecution said Graham Heaps started the blaze by pouring petrol through the letterbox of the house while all the family were asleep in bed.
Adding that he harboured ill feelings towards the family following demise of his relationship.
Broken legsBroken legs
Francesca Bimpson suffered severe burns in the fire on Norwood Grove, Everton on 2 December 2008 and died in hospital three weeks later.Francesca Bimpson suffered severe burns in the fire on Norwood Grove, Everton on 2 December 2008 and died in hospital three weeks later.
Her sisters, Anne-Marie, 17 months, and Christina, eight, and 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.Her sisters, Anne-Marie, 17 months, and Christina, eight, and 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.
Their mother, Eleanor Skelhorne, 36, suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation.Their mother, Eleanor Skelhorne, 36, suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
Francesca's father, Kieron Bimpson, also 36, broke his legs jumping from a first-floor window.Francesca's father, Kieron Bimpson, also 36, broke his legs jumping from a first-floor window.
Smoke and flames
In recorded police interviews shown to the jury, brother Kieron, who was 14 at the time of the fire, told how he too tried to save his little sister.
Unable to move through the thick smoke, the youngster returned to his bedroom and took a deep breath of air from his window and then went into Francesca's room.
But the smoke and flames were too much for the teenager and he was forced back into his own bedroom, from where he jumped to safety.
Four fire fighters later entered the burning property to search for Francesca and found her lying on her bed.
The trial continues.