Man given whole life jail term for arson murders

A WOMAN whose sister, nieces and nephew were killed when her abusive former partner torched their house in a jealous rage said she was “haunted” by being the target of the attack as he was handed a whole life prison order.

- KATIE DICKINSON Press Association

Sharaz Ali was jailed after setting fire to the home of Bryonie Gawith and her three small children, on Westbury Road, Bradford, in the early hours of August 21, 2024.

A court heard he went there to “take revenge” on his ex-girlfriend Antonia Gawith, who was staying with her sister after ending their abusive seven-year relationship.

While Antonia managed to escape the fire, Bryonie, 29, and her three children - Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months - were trapped upstairs and could not be saved.

Yesterday Ali, 40, was given a whole life order for murdering Bryonie and the children, and attempting to murder Antonia.

Calum Sunderland, 26, who went with Ali to the house and kicked the door in for him, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for manslaughter.