Overview
- Sharaz Ali, 40, and Calum Sunderland, 26, are on trial at Doncaster Crown Court for four murders, attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm, which they deny.
- Opening statements outlined ring doorbell footage said to capture Ali instructing Sunderland to kick in the door as Sunderland carried a petrol can and a lighter.
- Prosecutors say the men drove from Keighley to Bradford just before 2 a.m., stopping to buy a seven‑litre can of petrol, with the car driven by Mohammed Shabir, who later died in custody.
- The court heard details of a 999 call and saw edited footage that muted possible children’s screams, while a pathologist found the children were likely rendered rapidly unconscious by fumes.
- Ali was badly injured in the fire, later placed in an induced coma, and after recovering was found fit to be charged; the trial before Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard is expected to last around four weeks.