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Father 'in row' before fatal fire Father 'in row' before fatal fire
(about 2 hours later)
A father killed his young son and two teenage stepchildren in a house fire after accusing his wife of flirting with a taxi driver, a court has heard.A father killed his young son and two teenage stepchildren in a house fire after accusing his wife of flirting with a taxi driver, a court has heard.
Kevin Hargreaves, 37, flew into a rage with the children's mother when they returned home last July and tried to set himself alight, jurors were told. Kevin Hargreaves, 38, flew into a rage with the children's mother when they returned home last July and tried to set himself alight, jurors were told.
Manchester Crown Court was told the fire engulfed the property in Herne Street, Openshaw, Manchester.Manchester Crown Court was told the fire engulfed the property in Herne Street, Openshaw, Manchester.
Mr Hargreaves, of no fixed address, denies three counts of murder.Mr Hargreaves, of no fixed address, denies three counts of murder.
The dead children's mother, Susan Owen, managed to escape the fire, which spread from the bedroom.The dead children's mother, Susan Owen, managed to escape the fire, which spread from the bedroom.
John Hargreaves, eight, and his stepbrother Jordan Swift, 14, died after they became trapped in a third-floor bedroom while Jordan's 19-year-old sister, Carly, also died after she dashed back into the house in the hope of saving the boys.John Hargreaves, eight, and his stepbrother Jordan Swift, 14, died after they became trapped in a third-floor bedroom while Jordan's 19-year-old sister, Carly, also died after she dashed back into the house in the hope of saving the boys.
'Bad mood''Bad mood'
Seven other children staying at the house survived the fire on 16 July.Seven other children staying at the house survived the fire on 16 July.
The court heard Mr Hargreaves walked down the stairs of the property after the fire started and was later spotted leaning on the garden gate as the fire raged.The court heard Mr Hargreaves walked down the stairs of the property after the fire started and was later spotted leaning on the garden gate as the fire raged.
Richard Marks QC, prosecuting, said Mr Hargreaves had returned to Ms Owen's home a few hours before the incident in a "very bad mood" following a taxi ride home after a night out.Richard Marks QC, prosecuting, said Mr Hargreaves had returned to Ms Owen's home a few hours before the incident in a "very bad mood" following a taxi ride home after a night out.
He said the trouble between them seemed to have started during the course of the taxi ride when Ms Owen bought a kebab for the driver.He said the trouble between them seemed to have started during the course of the taxi ride when Ms Owen bought a kebab for the driver.
"The defendant took exception to this and later accused Susan Owen of trying to 'cop off' with the taxi driver," Mr Marks said."The defendant took exception to this and later accused Susan Owen of trying to 'cop off' with the taxi driver," Mr Marks said.
I only wanted to kill myself, I only wanted to kill myself Kevin Hargreaves' statement to policeI only wanted to kill myself, I only wanted to kill myself Kevin Hargreaves' statement to police
The court heard the couple argued for several hours after they were dropped off, with Mr Hargreaves punching his wife before dousing himself and the bed with petrol while she was out of the room.The court heard the couple argued for several hours after they were dropped off, with Mr Hargreaves punching his wife before dousing himself and the bed with petrol while she was out of the room.
The row culminated in a struggle on the bed in which she bit him on the leg and he then ignited the petrol with a cigarette lighter as he restrained her, Mr Marks QC said.The row culminated in a struggle on the bed in which she bit him on the leg and he then ignited the petrol with a cigarette lighter as he restrained her, Mr Marks QC said.
The fire spread rapidly and all of the occupants of the house made good their escape except John and Jordan, he said.The fire spread rapidly and all of the occupants of the house made good their escape except John and Jordan, he said.
Mr Marks said witnesses described seeing Jordan at the window of the bedroom and shouted for him to jump.Mr Marks said witnesses described seeing Jordan at the window of the bedroom and shouted for him to jump.
"But he did not do so, evidently being frightened, and then he disappeared from sight," he said."But he did not do so, evidently being frightened, and then he disappeared from sight," he said.
The three victims all suffered severe burns and died later that day in hospital.The three victims all suffered severe burns and died later that day in hospital.
'Poured petrol''Poured petrol'
Mr Hargreaves was also detained in hospital but with only minor injuries.Mr Hargreaves was also detained in hospital but with only minor injuries.
The jury was told he made a number of statements at Wythenshawe Hospital.The jury was told he made a number of statements at Wythenshawe Hospital.
He told police: "I only wanted to kill myself, I only wanted to kill myself."He told police: "I only wanted to kill myself, I only wanted to kill myself."
Flames and smoke were seen billowing from the windowFlames and smoke were seen billowing from the window
The court heard he also told other witnesses: "I am always arguing with the missus, she winds me up. The night of the fire she was flirting with the taxi driver and she knew it would get to me, I can't handle it."The court heard he also told other witnesses: "I am always arguing with the missus, she winds me up. The night of the fire she was flirting with the taxi driver and she knew it would get to me, I can't handle it."
He added: "I never even thought about the kids when I did that. I just lay on the bed and poured petrol over me, I never thought about the kids, my mind was blank."He added: "I never even thought about the kids when I did that. I just lay on the bed and poured petrol over me, I never thought about the kids, my mind was blank."
The couple had been married since February 2003 but did not live together as they had a "volatile relationship" in which Mr Hargreaves often became violent when drunk, the court heard.The couple had been married since February 2003 but did not live together as they had a "volatile relationship" in which Mr Hargreaves often became violent when drunk, the court heard.
A forensic examination of the house showed that the petrol had been emptied from a lawnmower.A forensic examination of the house showed that the petrol had been emptied from a lawnmower.
Mr Marks said it would not be disputed that the defendant deliberately and unlawfully lit a fire in the bedroom which led to the deaths of the three victims.Mr Marks said it would not be disputed that the defendant deliberately and unlawfully lit a fire in the bedroom which led to the deaths of the three victims.
He said the prosecution did not suggest that Mr Hargreaves intended to kill any of his children or indeed that he intended to cause any of them really serious bodily injury.He said the prosecution did not suggest that Mr Hargreaves intended to kill any of his children or indeed that he intended to cause any of them really serious bodily injury.
However, it was the Crown's case that those intentions were directed at his wife and the consequences of those actions made him equally guilty as if he had wished to seriously harm the children.However, it was the Crown's case that those intentions were directed at his wife and the consequences of those actions made him equally guilty as if he had wished to seriously harm the children.
The trial continues.The trial continues.