Kai Cooper, 18, Leatherhead, Surrey, and a 15-year-old man from Southend, Essex, will appear in custody accused with the manslaughter of Josephine Smith, 88, at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday
Josephine Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene (
Image: MET)
Two teenagers including a 15-year-old boy have today been charged with manslaughter, following the death of a 88-year-old woman in a house fire.
As many as 40 firefighters rushed to the scene in Romford, east London, last month after calls of a two-storey mid-terraced house on fire on October 28 last year.
Elderly Josephine Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem not long after revealed she died of smoke inhalation, police said.
Yesterday the Met Police said two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and arson with intent to endanger life.
Kai Cooper, 18, of Leatherhead, Surrey, and a 15-year-old man from Southend, Essex, appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
The pair had previously been arrested on suspicion of murder just three days after the fire, along with a third teen, an 18-year-old woman who was released with no further action in relation to Josephine’s death.
The woman was given an adult caution, in relation to the possession of class A and B drugs.
Today detectives said Kai Cooper, 18, from Leatherhead in Surrey and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age, from Southend in Essex, have been charged with the manslaughter of Josephine Smith.
The pair were also charged with arson with recklessness “as to whether life was endangered”.
Both were also charged with assault by beating over a separate incident the day before the fire, in nearby Ilford high street.
At the time of her death, Josephine was described as a “fantastic, loving mum and gran” by her family.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-two-teenagers-charged-manslaughter-25890602
