Teen found guilty of sisters' manslaughter

A teenager has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his two sisters in a fire at the family home.

Shane Spence, 18, was convicted of starting the blaze which killed Tatum Leah, 14, and Demi-Jade, 12, while they were sleeping at their three-bedroom house in Tyneside in April 2007.

The jury found Spence guilty of arson but not guilty of the attempted murder of his parents, John and Anita, both 37, who escaped.

The jury took more than ten hours to reach the majority verdict. Pre-sentence and psychiatric reports will be conducted before Spence is sentenced.

The prosecution alleged the 18-year-old doused the living room sofa of the family home in petrol just after midnight on April 4. He had not been living at the house at the time.

The jury heard that Spence was a troubled young man who had attempted suicide a few days before the fire.

He also had three convictions including taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving without insurance and criminal damage.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Paterson, who led the investigation, said: "Northumbria Police conducted a full and thorough investigation into the tragic deaths of Tatum and Demi Spence, who died from smoke inhalation and burns.

He said: "We were greatly assisted by the local community whose help resulted in over 600 witness statements, and our colleagues in the Tyne and Wear Fire Service, the Forensic Science Service and the Crown Prosecution Service."

He added that police had conducted a full reconstruction of the fire to ascertain the timing of the blaze and also the speed at which it spread.

He said: "It's been an extremely difficult and protracted investigation."

The assistant chief fire officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "The circumstances surrounding this case are extremely tragic and we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the parents."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.