Man charged with murder after great-grandparents killed in St Helens house fire
Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died after the fire in Merseyside in the early hours of 15 July.
Police said Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Friday.
He has been remanded in custody and is to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
Merseyside Police said a 31-year-old man from St Helens, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remains on conditional bail.
The force also said an accelerant was used to start the fire on South John Street, where Mr Greener and Ms Shelia had lived for 15 years.
The pair were rescued from their home and taken to hospital after emergency services were called at 12.40am.
Read more from Sky News:
Mr Greener died on the evening of 16 July, while Ms Jackson died the next morning.
In a tribute released on Thursday, the victims' family said they were "the life and soul of the party" and would "forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Protesters stage demo outside hotel used to house migrants
Hundreds of anti-illegal migration protesters and pro-immigration counter-protesters have demonstrated outside a hotel being used to house migrants. Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, told the PA news agency that volunteer security personnel accompanied them. He added: 'We're happy to demonstrate but we're not happy to be attacked by thugs, racists and hooligans.' One man was seen being taken away from the station area by two officers, though it was not clear if he was part of any group. Members of Stand Up To Racism were seen trying to stop people from filming the protesters, as locals watched the march from their driveways. One local man was seen chanting in support of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as the march went past. He began shouting 'there's only one Tommy Robinson' when a protester approached him. One Stand Up To Racism protester chanted 'fascist scum' at him before police stepped in to ensure they would not come together. Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations. The force said that there was a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there were designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters. A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences. Those protesting outside The Bell Hotel in Epping chose to ignore counter-demonstrators and began singing. They sang Sweet Caroline and Come On Eileen while demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism chanted 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added. Essex Police said there was an 'escalation of violence' during protests on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people. The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles were thrown, vehicles were vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Stockton Police arrest man suspected of arson after hours-long standoff
Stockton Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and arson after an hours-long standoff Saturday night. Around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of East Roosevelt Street. Police said the suspect allegedly set fire to his backyard before barricading himself in a nearby home. According to police, the standoff lasted several hours and ended with the suspect walking out of the home. When he walked out, police said he refused to follow commands, and they had to use force to detain him. Police said he was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, and he was arrested on suspicion of arson, attempted homicide and resisting arrest. Stockton Police identified him as Rodrigo Nayotl-Acuahuitl.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Police looking to identify suspect who allegedly spat on, assaulted MBTA riders minutes apart
MBTA police are asking for help identifying a suspect who allegedly assaulted two people minutes apart at the Downtown Crossing Station earlier this month. On July 14, around 4:30 p.m., police say the suspect spat on one victim before hitting a 69-year-old woman around 15 minutes later at Downtown Crossing. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact MBTA Transit police at 617-222-1050. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
