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Faisal Latif jailed for 1992 Middleport fire killings Faisal Latif jailed for 1992 Middleport fire killings
(about 1 hour later)
A man has been jailed for 15 years after he admitted killing a mother and her son in a house fire, in 1992.A man has been jailed for 15 years after he admitted killing a mother and her son in a house fire, in 1992.
Faisal Latif, 44, was arrested in the US in January, wanted on five charges, including two of murder. Faisal Latif, 44, was arrested in the US in January on five charges, including two of murder.
Marilyn Cook and her 16-year-old son Nicholas died in a fire at their home in Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent. Marilyn Cook, 40, and her 16-year-old son Nicholas died in a fire at their home in Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent.
Ms Cook's daughter, Maxine Podmore, said it was "a small piece of comfort knowing that someone has finally been made accountable".
Staffordshire Police said Latif was landlord at the Travers Street property where Ms Cook lived with her son and partner at the time, Steven Hillman, but claimed he experienced problems with his tenants.
Neighbours were woken by an explosion which had blown the windows out of the rented house on 9 April 1992.
Mr Hillman survived the fire, but has since died, police said.
At the start of the trial at Stafford Crown Court, Latif pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one of arson with intent to endanger life.At the start of the trial at Stafford Crown Court, Latif pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one of arson with intent to endanger life.
The pleas were accepted by the prosecution.The pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
Latif, who was extradited to the UK in March, was told to expect a lengthy prison sentence. 'Lives changed forever'
Ms Cook's partner at the time, Steven Hillman, survived the fire at the house in Travers Street in April 1992, but has since died. Latif, who was extradited to the UK in March, was jailed for 15 years for manslaughter and 10 years for arson with intent to endanger life, to run concurrently, Staffordshire Police said.
In a statement, Ms Podmore said the last 21 years had been "very difficult and emotional" for the family.
"On the morning of 9 April 1992 mine, my dad's and the rest of the family's lives changed forever.
"No sentence given to this man could ever bring my mum and brother back and to me it will always be murder - but that's my personal view.
"It is a small piece of comfort knowing that someone has finally been made accountable."
She added she had "suffered mentally and emotionally" after the deaths of her mother and brother.
"They never saw my wedding or my children, and my children and their children never knew them," said Ms Podmore.
"My dad lost a son and the chance of being a granddad to Nicky's children."
She added she wanted to thank the police investigation team and everyone who had supported the family.
"Let's hope now that Marilyn and Nicky Cook can rest in peace," said Ms Podmore.