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Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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Squatting couple killed by teen brothers

May 23 2009
Teenage arsonists are found guilty of manslaughter after a blaze in which two died of carbon monoxide poisoning Two teenage brothers, aged 14 and 19, from Stoke on Trent, have been found guilty of arson and manslaughter after setting a fire in which two people were killed. They started the blaze at a derelict factory in Hanley earlier this year by dousing rubbish and chairs with petrol and setting them alight. Jessica Beech and Darren Asher, 26 years old, were squatting in the building and died of carbon monoxide poisoning. A 40-year-old man was rescued. Initially, it was feared more people would have been caught up in the fire, as rough sleepers had regularly used the factory. The episode has caused concern about the plight of rough sleepers in the city and surrounding areas, and homeless support agency Brighter Future has set up a local mobile advice centre. The brothers will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court at a later date.
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