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Man accused over four fire deaths Murder accused had killed before
(about 1 hour later)
A man has gone on trial accused of murdering three children and their mother's partner who died in a fire. A jilted boyfriend accused of murdering three children and their mother's partner had killed before, a jury has been told.
Marcus Carter, seven, and his sisters Patricia, 10, and Samantha, 16, died with Roddy Hine, 44, in an explosion at a house in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. Marcus Carter, seven, Patricia, 10, and Samantha, 16, died with Roddy Hine, 44, in a house explosion in Cheddleton, Staffordshire, in March 2006.
Mark Goldstraw, 31, of Compton House, Leek, denies four counts of murder. Mark Goldstraw, 31, of Compton House, Leek, denied four counts of murder.
Stafford Crown Court heard he had been in a relationship with Samantha Carter which had ended months before the fire, which happened in March. Stafford Crown Court heard he was convicted of the manslaughter of Deborah Wheatley in 2001.
The jury was told Mr Goldstraw had been in a relationship with Samantha Carter which had ended months before the fire.
Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said Mr Goldstraw had been a friend of Mr Hine and had looked after the family home while they went on holiday.Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said Mr Goldstraw had been a friend of Mr Hine and had looked after the family home while they went on holiday.
'Possessive and jealous''Possessive and jealous'
But he said Mr Goldstraw became abusive after his relationship with Samantha soured. But he said Mr Goldstraw became abusive after his relationship with Miss Carter soured.
"He (Goldstraw) was a friend and rejected boyfriend of Samantha, once upon a time a trusted friend of Roderick Hine, a frequent visitor to the house," he said. "He (Mr Goldstraw) was a friend and rejected boyfriend of Samantha, once upon a time a trusted friend of Roderick Hine, a frequent visitor to the house," he said.
The three Carter children died in the explosion
"But he was possessive and jealous and she decided to break off the relationship."But he was possessive and jealous and she decided to break off the relationship.
"This [the fire] had all the signs of a dreadful accident but we say beyond any doubt this was deliberate arson with murderous intent."This [the fire] had all the signs of a dreadful accident but we say beyond any doubt this was deliberate arson with murderous intent.
"We say he [Mr Goldstraw] made plans to take revenge upon Samantha and her family to deal with the rejection.""We say he [Mr Goldstraw] made plans to take revenge upon Samantha and her family to deal with the rejection."
Mr Hotten said that in the weeks running up to the fire, Mr Goldstraw had tried to persuade Samantha to get back together with him. Mr Hotten said that in the weeks running up to the fire, Mr Goldstraw had tried to persuade Miss Carter to get back together with him.
He had even told her he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in a bid to win her back.He had even told her he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in a bid to win her back.
The trial continues.The trial continues.