South Shields Fire Trial
Murder trial told of violent row in the street
A MURDER suspect had a violent row with his former girlfriend in the days leading up to a fire that killed his two younger sisters, a court heard.
Shane Spence is accused of starting a fatal fire at his family home in Lisle Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, in the early hours of April 4, last year.
Demi Jade Spence, 12, and Tatum Leah, 14, were trapped inside their burning home and could not be saved despite frantic rescue efforts.
Mr Spence denies two charges of murder and two of attempted murder in relation to his parents, John and Anita Spence, both 37.
His ex-girlfriend, Lorraine Bruce, 20, the mother of his young daughter, told jurors yesterday of a furious row which erupted in the street after she had been on a shopping trip with her mother, father and sister.
She said: "I turned to Shane and said, 'Just go away and leave us alone'.
"He started arguing with me and I started pointing my finger in his face saying, 'Go away, leave us alone, ' and that's when he pushed me. I hit my head off the floor, the pavement.
"A neighbour picked me up and my sister went after Shane. They were arguing and she was trying to smack him for what he had done.
"Then there was just loads of arguments. I was upset at the time - I was crying. I told him to leave us alone and never come back to the door again and I went in the house."
Miss Bruce said she and Mr Spence had made up again before the fire. And she told jurors he was "devastated" when she saw him after the blaze.
She told the court she was not aware of any friction or problems between Shane and his family.
The trial continues.
12:18pm Wednesday 6th February 2008
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