Overview
- A jury has been sworn and the prosecution has opened its case in a trial expected to last up to six weeks before Mr Justice Jay.
- Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died from burns and smoke inhalation after their UPVC front door was set alight with ignitable liquid shortly after 12:30am on July 15, 2025.
- The Crown alleges Weetman ordered the arson over a dispute involving half an ounce of cocaine and loss of face, with associate Kylie Maynard linked to the address.
- Lee Owens has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and says he intended only to damage the property, while all three defendants deny murder.
- Prosecutors say Owens and the now-deceased Paul Smith travelled from Liverpool to start the fire, the intended target George Jackson was out, and an alleged confession by Smith was reported to his partner.