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The trial of a woman charged with manslaughter, after her two sets of young twins died after a house fire, has been delayed because she is “too ill”.
Deveca Rose, 29, from Wallington, south London, was charged with four counts of manslaughter after a blaze tore through the ground flor of the mid-terrace house in December 2021, killing brothers Kyson and Bryson, four, and Leyton and Logan, three.
At a hearing at the Old Bailey in June 2024, she pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and child cruelty offences.
The trial of was set to begin this week after the jury panel was selected on Monday.
However, they were told today the trial will begin at the earliest tomorrow, but only if she is well enough to attend.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, told the jury today: “The defendant is currently not well and we are awaiting an update.
“It is hoped she will be well enough for it to start tomorrow.”
No further details were given to the jury about her condition.
The trial is expected to last three weeks once underway.
There were more than 60 firefighters in eight fire engines tackling the blaze at the home in Collingwood Road, Sutton.
The children were pulled from the fire by firefighters, but none could be saved and they were later pronounced dead in hospital.
Dalton Hoath, 28, the boy’s father had said they were “bright, caring, loveable boys but most of all sons, brothers, grandsons, great-grandsons, nephews and cousins”.
He said in a statement at the time: “We would like to thank all the emergency services who did so much to try and save our boys, and also the local community who have come together at this difficult time.”
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