South Shields Fire Trial
Horror film used to pinpoint death blaze
A TEENAGER accused of murdering his two sisters in a house fire was placed at the scene of the blaze using timings from a postapocalyptic horror film, a court was told.
Shane Spence had been watching 28 Days Later with friend Stephanie Tate at her home in East Close, South Shields, South Tyneside, when fire engulfed his family home trapping Tatum Leah, 14, and Demi Jade, 12, inside.
Despite a rescue attempt, the sisters could not be saved.
Spence denies murder and the attempted murder of his parents, John and Anita, both 37, who managed to escape.
Miss Tate, a mother-of-five, told Newcastle Crown Court how Shane Spence was at her home watching the film.
During the film he went to collect a CD from his Lisle Road home, but returned empty handed, claiming he could not find it.
Prosecutors say it was during the visit home that he started the blaze, which experts estimate was started between 12.40am and 12.55am.
Detectives obtained a recording from the film channel showing footage of the movie and the time it was aired.
Ms Tate was asked to view the film at a police station and pinpoint the time Spence left her home.
Using the technique it is claimed Spence left Ms Tate's home at 00.41. The prosecution says the time would mean he could have been in Lisle Road when the fire started.
The same technique was used to show the time he returned to Ms Tate's home. This is said to be 12.55am.
The trial continues.
12:18pm Tuesday 5th February 2008
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