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Prestatyn fire: Melanie Smith charged with fifth murder | Prestatyn fire: Melanie Smith charged with fifth murder |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A woman accused of murdering of a woman and three children in a house fire has been charged with a fifth murder, on the day their funeral was held. | |
It follows the death of Liam Timbrell last week, who became the fifth person to die after the blaze in in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, on 19 October. | It follows the death of Liam Timbrell last week, who became the fifth person to die after the blaze in in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, on 19 October. |
Melanie Smith, 42, is also charged with the murders of Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her 15-month-old son Charlie, nephew Bailey Allen, four, and niece Skye, two. | Melanie Smith, 42, is also charged with the murders of Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her 15-month-old son Charlie, nephew Bailey Allen, four, and niece Skye, two. |
She has been remanded in custody. | She has been remanded in custody. |
She is also accused of one count of arson with intent to endanger life and threats to commit criminal damage. | She is also accused of one count of arson with intent to endanger life and threats to commit criminal damage. |
Ian Evans, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Following the tragic death of Liam Timbrell last week, we can now confirm that the CPS has authorised a fifth murder charge in relation to the Prestatyn house fire investigation. | Ian Evans, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Following the tragic death of Liam Timbrell last week, we can now confirm that the CPS has authorised a fifth murder charge in relation to the Prestatyn house fire investigation. |
"Accordingly, North Wales Police has charged Melanie Smith with a fifth offence of murder. | "Accordingly, North Wales Police has charged Melanie Smith with a fifth offence of murder. |
"Directions for the future management of the case will be determined at a hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on 16 November." | "Directions for the future management of the case will be determined at a hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on 16 November." |
Memorial service | |
Mr Timbrell, 23, was Ms Shiers' partner and Charlie's father. | Mr Timbrell, 23, was Ms Shiers' partner and Charlie's father. |
He had been in a critical condition since the blaze on 19 October and died on 5 November at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. | He had been in a critical condition since the blaze on 19 October and died on 5 November at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. |
Ms Shiers died in the blaze along with her niece and nephew. Charlie died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. | Ms Shiers died in the blaze along with her niece and nephew. Charlie died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. |
A private funeral for all five was held on Tuesday, and a public memorial service will be held at Prestatyn Parish Church (Christchurch) at 11:00 GMT on Wednesday. |
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