Grangetown house fire double murder trial date set for April 2027

Jaden Wright, 23, faces trial in April 2027 over the fatal fire in Grangetown that killed Natalie McDonald and her seven-year-old niece Valentina Foster.

Grangetown blaze suspect to face double murder trial in April 2027

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that a man accused of murdering a woman and her seven-year-old niece in a house fire near Middlesbrough will stand trial next year.

Natalie McDonald, 34, and Valentina Foster died in the blaze in Grangetown in the early hours of 26 August. Jaden Wright, 23, appeared via video link at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday charged with two counts of murder and four additional charges connected to the fire.

A judge set the trial date for 14 April 2027, with proceedings expected to last three weeks, according to prosecutor Richard Wright KC.

Beyond the murder charges, Wright faces two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent — charges relating to others who were inside the house at the time of the blaze. Wright did not enter pleas at the 10-minute hearing.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear again at Teesside Crown Court on 23 September for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)