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Leicester fire deaths: Eight people found guilty | Leicester fire deaths: Eight people found guilty |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Seven men and a teenager have been convicted for their part in a revenge arson attack that killed four people. | Seven men and a teenager have been convicted for their part in a revenge arson attack that killed four people. |
Shehnila Taufiq, 47, daughter Zainab, 19, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15 died in a house fire in Leicester in the early hours of 13 September. | Shehnila Taufiq, 47, daughter Zainab, 19, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15 died in a house fire in Leicester in the early hours of 13 September. |
Kemo Porter, 19, and Tristan Richards, 23, were found guilty of their murders. | Kemo Porter, 19, and Tristan Richards, 23, were found guilty of their murders. |
Shaun Carter, 24, Nathaniel Mullings, 19, Jackson Powell, 20, Aaron Webb, 20, Akeem Jeffers, 21 and Cairo Parker, 17, were found guilty of manslaughter. | Shaun Carter, 24, Nathaniel Mullings, 19, Jackson Powell, 20, Aaron Webb, 20, Akeem Jeffers, 21 and Cairo Parker, 17, were found guilty of manslaughter. |
It is the first time Parker has been identified after the judge, Justice John Griffith Williams, lifted reporting restrictions. | It is the first time Parker has been identified after the judge, Justice John Griffith Williams, lifted reporting restrictions. |
During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, the jury heard the attack had been part of a "botched revenge attack". | During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, the jury heard the attack had been part of a "botched revenge attack". |
Prosecutor Richard Latham QC said the defendants had intended to target the house of another man who they believed had stabbed their friend Antoin Akpom. | Prosecutor Richard Latham QC said the defendants had intended to target the house of another man who they believed had stabbed their friend Antoin Akpom. |
He said: "They simply got the wrong house - a tragedy." | He said: "They simply got the wrong house - a tragedy." |
The fire was started when petrol was poured through the letterbox and then lit. | The fire was started when petrol was poured through the letterbox and then lit. |
CCTV footage from the street on the night of the fire had been shown during the two-month trial. It showed eight figures walking towards the house and then three later running away. | CCTV footage from the street on the night of the fire had been shown during the two-month trial. It showed eight figures walking towards the house and then three later running away. |
Giving evidence, the defendants, who are all from Leicester, said Richards had "terrified" them and had a "reputation". | Giving evidence, the defendants, who are all from Leicester, said Richards had "terrified" them and had a "reputation". |
They said he had poured the petrol and started the fire using a lighter given to them by Porter. | They said he had poured the petrol and started the fire using a lighter given to them by Porter. |
The other six defendants said they had not known of any plans to set fire to the house and claimed they had only intended to throw bricks at the property. | The other six defendants said they had not known of any plans to set fire to the house and claimed they had only intended to throw bricks at the property. |
The jury had found them not guilty of murder. | The jury had found them not guilty of murder. |
'Extraordinary people' | |
The Taufiq family had moved to Leicester from Dublin to study theology. | The Taufiq family had moved to Leicester from Dublin to study theology. |
Dr Muhammad Taufiq Al Sattar described his wife and children as "four amazing human beings", whose goal had been to serve humanity. | |
"My beloved wife and three beautiful children, I can say they were really extraordinary people," he said. | |
"They were very charitable. They had a strong concern for the welfare of others, even before their own comfort. | |
"They had devoted their lives to a dream to give to others - the needy, the less privileged and the misguided. Four amazing human beings." | |
The paediatric neurosurgeon was working at a hospital in Dublin at the time of the fire. | |
Det Supt Kate Meynall, of Leicestershire Police, said the defendants' actions on the night were "misguided and impulsive and obviously had tragic consequences". | |
"Without exception they have lied from the start about their involvement, and they have continued to lie throughout the trial," she said. | |
"None have ever taken any responsibility for their actions on that night, nor have they shown any remorse. | |
"My thoughts are now with Dr Taufiq, who has lost his entire family and has to face the future without them. I can't even imagine how difficult this must be." | |
All eight defendants will be sentenced on Wednesday. | All eight defendants will be sentenced on Wednesday. |