South Shields Fire Trial
Murder suspect said blaze was meant to frighten, not kill, court told
MURDER suspect Shane Spence told a close family friend he thought the fatal blaze at his home was meant to frighten rather than kill anyone, a court heard.
Mr Spence is accused of murdering his two sisters Demi Jade, 12, and Tatum Leah, 14, and attempting to murder his parents John and Anita, both 37, by allegedly sparking the deadly blaze at their home in Lisle Road, South Shields last April.
The 18-year-old denies the charges and and is being tried by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.
Family friend Leigh Wright, who lived near the Spence family home, told jurors Mr Spence would often talk to her in the aftermath of the blaze.
She told the court: "He said that he didn't think it was meant to go that far, it was not meant to kill anyone.
"He said I think it was done to frighten them, not to kill anyone."
Ms Wright accepted she was informing police what was said by Mr Spence during their conversations, but denied defence claims she was trying to "trip him up".
She told the court: "Why would I want to trip Shane up?
"Shane came and told me things, I didn't sit and ask him questions.
"Shane needed someone to talk to and that's what he's done, he's talked to me."
Ms Wright accepted there were times when she confronted Mr Spence over just who started the blaze and during one telephone call actually accused him of the murders.
The trial continues.
5:40pm Thursday 7th February 2008
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