Dad to stand trial for ‘strangling partner’ who died in house fire with their three children, 1, 5 & 9, a month later
A DAD will stand trial accused of strangling his partner a month before she died in a house fire with their three children.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle were all killed in the horror in Bradford on August 21.
Her partner Jonathan Birtle was in custody at the time of the blaze after being arrested for assaulting her on July 27.
The dad appeared at Bradford Crown Court today where he pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation.
He also denied stealing Bryonie’s phone and is now due to stand trial in January 2026.
Defence lawyer Fuad Arshad said Birtle was “very alarmed and distressed that the Crown Prosecution Service has decided to continue this prosecution against him”.
The lawyer also said he Birtle was “in such a state of trauma I have concerns as to his psychiatric standing”.
He added: “We will be seeking a report from psychiatric experts as to whether he is fit to stand trial.”
The court was told Birtle was released from custody the day after the house fire but was fitted with an electronic tag and given a curfew of 6pm to 6am.
A further hearing to determine whether he is fit to stand trial will take place at the same court on November 15.
Mohammed Shabir, 44, and Calum Sunderland, 25, have denied four counts of murder relating to the blaze.
They have also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of attempting to murder Bryonie’s sister Antonia Gawith.
The court was told the “main suspect” in the horror remains unconscious in hospital and will not be ready for trial “even if he does wake up”.
Police previously confirmed the 39-year-old is an ex-partner of a woman who had been visiting the family.
Shabir and Sunderland have been remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial in March.
The horror unfolded on August 21 when flames engulfed the home in the early hours.
An inquest was told previously that emergency crews were called at around 2.07am.
Tragically, Bryonie was declared dead at the scene just 40 minutes later.
Police said they believed the home was deliberately set alight.
Birtle previously paid tribute to Bryonie and their children, saying he was “absolutely distraught”.
He added: “Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together.
“She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree and Denisty.
“I loved them with all my heart and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine life without them.
“They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart.”