Man sentenced for Bradford house fire murders of Bryonie Gawith and her three children

Bryonie Gawith,29,and her three children,Denisty Birtle,nine,Oscar Birtle,five,and Aubree Birtle,22 months,died in the house fire (Pictures: SWNS)

A man who killed his ex-partner’s sister and her three children in a revenge arson attack on their home will die behind bars.

Antonia Gawith had ended an abusive seven-year relationship with Sharaz Ali and was staying with her sister Bryonie Gawith when Ali set fire to Bryonie’s home in the early hours of August 21 last year.

While Antonia managed to escape the fire,Bryonie,were trapped upstairs and could not be saved.

Ali,40,was found guilty in December of four counts of murder and one of attempted murder following a trial at Doncaster Crown Court.

Today,judge Mr Justice Hilliard imposed a whole life sentence,saying Ali ‘intended to torch the property and anyone in it.’

‘He knew that the children lived with their mother. He was so full of hatred for Bryonie and so determined that if he could not have a relationship with Antonia then no one else would,that these three children were to him acceptable collateral damage.

‘Aged nine,aged five,aged 22 months. That has only to be spelled out to demonstrate how exceptionally serious a case of murder this is.’

Sharaz Ali,was given a whole life sentence for the evil murders (Picture: West Yorkshire Police/PA)

The judge said he was sure Ali was physically abusive and controlling towards Antonia,who ended their relationship while on holiday with Bryonie and her family.

Thinking she had a new boyfriend,Ali messaged her once she had returned,warning: ‘Remember one thing,the people that are laughing at me will cry bout their own life.’

Days later,he wrote: ‘I know who caused all this in my life whether they meant it or not,they better start praying cos now I’m getting involved in her life and I promise one thing,they’re gonna regret it,I’m not going to look [back] – the house,the kids,the family,the friends are gonna feel it,and deep down u know who I mean too.’

Mr Justice Hilliard said: ‘I am in no doubt that Mr Ali was referring to Bryonie,that Mr Ali blamed her for the break-up and that he was speaking about setting light to the house.’

Sobs could be heard from family in the public gallery as Antonia said Bryonie ‘had warmth that could fill a room and a heart so big she would give the world away if she could’.

Mr Justice Hilliard said Bryonie ‘acted with immense courage’ by staying in the house with her children when she saw Ali pouring petrol around.

‘Although she must have known what Mr Ali was going to do,there was no way she was going to run out of the house and desert her children,’ Mr Justice Hilliard said.

‘She remained at the top of the stairs to protect them.

‘Bryonie acted with immense courage. I hope that will be how her family will remember her last moments.

‘She was determined to protect her children if she possibly could. She begged Mr Ali to stop but he completely ignored her.’

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