TWO men accused of murdering three members of the same family by setting fire to their home made a second appearance in court yesterday.
Robert Jennings, 49, from Helensburgh, and a 36-year-old man who cannot be named for legal reasons appeared on petition at Dumbarton Sheriff Court charged with murdering eight-year-old Bridget Sharkey, her brother Thomas, 21, and their 55-year-old father also Thomas, and attempting to murder their mother Angela.
It is alleged that the pair wilfully set fire to 2 Scott Court, Helenburgh, on July 24, last year, and as a result the siblings died at the scene and their father died of his injuries on July 20, in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
The accused made no plea or declaration when they appeared before Sheriff Ruth Anderson.
Jennings, who was represented by lawyer Richard Lobjoie, and the 36-year-old, who was represented by advocate Thomas Ross, are also accused of wilfully setting another six fires between 2008 and 2011.
The 36-year-old man is also charged with committing a breach of the peace in the Teak and Ash pub in Helensburgh on July 11, 2010.
He is also accused of throwing ammonia or a similar substance onto the face of a man. He also faces a charge of assaulting Richard McKinney, by repeatedly slashing him on the face to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement in Alexandria, on January 20, 2010.
Both men are remanded in custody.
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