'Girls' dad may have started fatal fire'

Feb 15 2008 by Graeme Whitfield, The Journal

A HOUSE fire which killed two young girls could have been started by their father, a murder trial jury heard yesterday.

Doorman John Spence had, in the past, been quizzed by police about two suspect insurance claims, defence counsel Toby Hedworth QC, said yesterday.

He was also undoubtedly at the house when the fire was started, he had taken the drug ketamine and a cigarette lighter was found in the debris in his bedroom, he told Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutors allege his 18-year-old son, Shane Spence, deliberately set the house in Lisle Road, South Shields, ablaze by setting alight a sofa in the living room with petrol.

He denies murdering his sisters, Tatum, 14 and 12-year-old Demi-Jade who were asleep in bed on the upper floors at the time of the fire.

He also denies the attempted murder of his father John, who suffered severe burns trying to rescue the two girls and the attempted murder of his mother, Anita, who escaped through a first-floor window.

The teenager has admitted calling at the house to collect a CD that night, while the family were in bed, but denies he played any part in the blaze. Mr Hedworth told the jury in his closing speech: “We submit the weaknesses of the Crown’s case against Shane Spence are highlighted by the case that could be built against his father.” He said police had interviewed John Spence, 37, on suspicion of making a false insurance claim for the burning out of his car and about a false insurance claim after a burglary at his home.

He said: “Is it possible that if police were right about those suggestions, the same person might seek to damage his home, albeit not to the extent of injuring his family, so he could make another claim?

“Where was John Spence at the time the fire started? Undoubtedly he was at 99 Lisle Road and he had been taking the drug ketamine and a cigarette lighter was found in the debris in the parents bedroom.

“You may say but why would he do such a thing, he doted on those girls, but it is perfectly consistent with starting a fire that goes wrong.”

Mr Hedworth said the defence were not in a position to prove or even attempt to prove that is what happened, nor did they seek to do so.

But he alleged John Spence was “more than equal contender” to start the fire. Jurors retired yesterday to consider their verdicts and are expected to resume their deliberations today.