A man who killed his ex-partner's sister and her three children by setting fire to their home in Bradford has been sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison. Sharaz Ali, 40, was convicted of murder after starting a blaze at the house in the early hours of 21 August 2024, which resulted in the deaths of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, 22 months.
Sentencing Ali at Doncaster Crown Court, Mr Justice Hilliard said the attack was motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs. The judge stated that Ali's intention was to “wipe out a family” and that the children were “acceptable collateral damage” because of his hatred for Bryonie, whom he blamed for his breakup with her sister Antonia Gawith. Antonia, who had ended an abusive seven-year relationship with Ali, managed to escape the fire but was the intended target.
In a tearful victim impact statement, Antonia said she was “haunted” because the attack was meant for her. “Knowing they died because someone wanted to kill me is a torment I can never put into words,” she told the court. She described Bryonie as having “warmth that could fill a room” and said the children were “my babies, my joy”.
Calum Sunderland, 27, who accompanied Ali and kicked in the door, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for manslaughter. The judge commended Bryonie for her “immense courage” in staying with her children rather than fleeing. Ali, a drug dealer, suffered severe burns in the fire and was rescued by police; he was tried after recovering from a coma.
