A man who murdered his ex-partner's sister and her three children by deliberately setting their house ablaze in a vengeful attack has been convicted of their killings.

Sharaz Ali was "motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs" when he ignited the "catastrophic" fire at the residence of Bryonie Gawith and her three young children during the early hours of August 21 last year. The court was told that Ali, 40, went to "take revenge" on his former partner, Bryonie's sister Antonia Gawith, who was residing there following the end of their violent seven-year relationship.

Whilst Antonia succeeded in fleeing the flames, Bryonie, 29, along with her three children, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months, became trapped on the upper floor and perished.

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