NewsBeat
Man accused of Grangetown double murder appears in court
Jaden Wright was not asked to enter a plea when he appeared before Judge Jonathan Carroll at Teesside Crown Court.
The 23-year-old is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following the fire on August 26.
Valentina Foster, seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, have been named locally as the two victims who died following a house fire in Grangetown. (Image: Provided)
Valentina Foster, seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died in the blaze at a property on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough.
Police at the scene of the fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
As of last Friday, a 48-year-old woman remained at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a critical but stable condition and a 27-year-old man was at James Cook University Hospital receiving treatment.
Two teenage girls were both discharged after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Wright, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing.
Floral tributes left at the scene of the devastating fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
He was remanded in custody until a pre trial and preparation hearing on September 23.
Floral tributes left at the scene of the devastating fire on Birchington Avenue, in Grangetown (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Judge Carroll set a provisional trial date of April 14 next year which is expected to be tried by a High Court Judge.
Numerous teddies, emotional notes, and a small bag of sweets were also among the items paying tribute to the pair.
Police previously confirmed that it is not treating the fire as linked to the fatal crash on the A66 which killed seven, including two police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
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