Tragic Arson Attack Claims Lives of Elderly Couple in St Helens
An innocent elderly couple were brutally murdered in a deliberate arson attack at their home following a dispute over a £400 cocaine debt involving a relative, Liverpool Crown Court heard today. The horrific incident has shocked the local community and raised serious questions about drug-related violence spreading to affect vulnerable residents.
Fatal Consequences of Petty Drug Dispute
Sheila Jackson, aged 83, and her partner Eric Greener, 77, were rescued from the blazing inferno at their terraced property in St Helens, Merseyside, but tragically succumbed to their injuries days later. The court heard that the intended target of the attack was actually Mrs Jackson's son, George Jackson, 48, who had fortuitously left the house just minutes earlier to visit a local shop.
The prosecution outlined how the fatal fire resulted from a petty dispute over cocaine worth between £400 and £700. Drug dealer Kevin Weetman, 34, known by the street name 'Red Head', allegedly ordered the attack to avoid losing face in the criminal underworld after George Jackson failed to pay for drugs he claimed were given as a gift.
Twisted Timeline of Events Leading to Tragedy
Nigel Power KC, prosecuting, detailed how the situation escalated from what began as an act of kindness. George Jackson had previously assisted one of Weetman's dealers, Kylie Maynard, 37, after she was assaulted, taking her to his mother's house to recover. This act of compassion ultimately revealed the location of his family home to the drug network.
'She knew exactly where he lived, and who he lived with,' Mr Power told the jury, emphasising how this information was later used against the vulnerable couple.
When George Jackson refused to be drawn into dealing drugs for Weetman's operation, the mood turned hostile. 'What had been a gift or reward ceased to be so and Weetman began to demand where his ''dough'' was,' the prosecutor explained to the court.
Deadly Retaliation Planned and Executed
The court heard that Weetman recruited two lower-level dealers, Lee Owens, 46, and Paul Smith, 40, to carry out his revenge. In the early hours of July 15 last year, the pair rode to the Jackson-Greener home and deliberately set it alight using flammable liquid poured on the front door.
'Weetman resolved to take action to prevent a loss of ''face'' and set in motion a plan to kill, or at least cause really serious harm to, George Jackson by setting fire to his house in the middle of night,' Mr Power stated unequivocally.
Tragically, while the attackers failed to reach their intended target, the fire they ignited claimed the lives of two completely innocent pensioners who had lived peacefully in the property for many years. 'People who knew them well had never known them to have any disputes with anyone,' the prosecutor noted about the victims.
Horrific Scene Witnessed by Neighbours
Neighbours reported hearing terrifying high-pitched screams coming from the property and witnessed Mrs Jackson shouting desperately for help from an upstairs window. Thick plumes of black smoke and flames engulfing the front door created a scene of horror just after 12:30am.
In a desperate 999 call, Mrs Jackson told operators the house was on fire and she couldn't breathe. Fire crews arrived promptly at approximately 12:40am and immediately rescued her from her upstairs bedroom. They discovered Mr Greener unconscious in a living room chair.
Both victims were breathing but unconscious when paramedics treated them at the scene before rushing them to Whiston Hospital. Mr Greener died the following day, with Mrs Jackson passing away on July 17, marking a double tragedy that has left the community reeling.
Legal Proceedings and Defendants' Positions
The court heard that Paul Smith, who was found dead a week after the fire, had confessed to his girlfriend about his involvement, stating: 'I had to go somewhere and set a house on fire but the fella's mum and dad were upstairs. Red Head told me to do it.' He reportedly added that he hadn't killed the right man and that 'Red Head was mad at me.'
Lee Owens has admitted to the manslaughter of the two pensioners but denies their murder. The prosecution maintains there is no dispute that both Smith and Owens started the fire, though Owens claims Smith acted alone in igniting the property after watching George Jackson leave.
Following the attack, Smith and Owens drove to a house in Anfield, Liverpool, where they met with Kylie Maynard, described by prosecutors as Weetman's 'right-hand woman' in drug dealing operations. She allegedly began reporting back to Weetman about the completed arson attack.
Kevin Weetman of Aigburth, Liverpool, Lee Owens of no fixed address, and Kylie Maynard of Everton, Liverpool, all deny charges of murder. Weetman and Maynard have admitted to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The trial continues as the court examines the full extent of responsibility for this devastating loss of life.
