TWO Keighley men have denied murdering a mother and her three children who were killed in a house fire in Bradford.

Mohammed Shabir, 44, of Carlby Grove, and Calum Sunderland, 25, of Calton Street, pleaded not guilty at Bradford Crown Court to the murders of Bryonie Gawith and her children Denisty Birtle, nine; Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, who was 22 months old. 

Both men also pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith.

The pair, who both appeared via video link from HMP Forest Bank, will go to trial on March 4, 2025.

His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose remanded Shabir and Sunderland in custody to next appear in court on February 6 for a case management hearing.

Ms Gawith, 29, died at the scene in Westbury Road, off Cooper Lane, in the BD6 area of the city, and her three children died from their injuries in hospital following the fire in the early hours of August 21.

The court heard that a third man, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, remains in hospital.

During the hearing, prosecutor David Brook said the man, who he identified as the “main suspect”, remained “unconscious” in hospital.

He said: “I know there is interest by the defendants as to his status.

“It’s clear to me he will not be ready for trial even if he wakes up.

“He's still unconscious, as we understand it, though he’s off sedation.

“So if that changes, the prosecution will come back to the court.

“But at the moment we don’t anticipate any change.”

West Yorkshire Police previously confirmed the 39-year-old man in hospital is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family.

In a statement, the family of the victims said the loss of “our B” and the children – referred to as “Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry” – had brought “unimaginable sadness and grief”.

The children’s father, Jonathan, also released a statement which read: “I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancee, Bryonie, and our three beautiful children.

“Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together.

“She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree and Denisty.

“I loved them with all my heart and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine life without them.”