Langley Mill case adjourned after defendants’ no-show

Three men accused of murder in relation to the flat fire in Langley Mill this summer failed to appear in court this morning, Friday, September 25.
The scene on North Street, Langley Mill, in June.The scene on North Street, Langley Mill, in June.
The scene on North Street, Langley Mill, in June.

Peter Eyre, 43, Anthony Eyre, 21, both of Central Avenue, Sandiacre, and Simon Eyre, 24, from New Tythe Street, Long Eaton, were meant to attend for a preliminary hearing at Nottingham Crown Court.

All three are on remand, however, Judge Michael Stokes was told that the bus bringing them from Birmingham had been held up and they were not due to arrive until the afternoon.

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He spoke with the three defence barristers and it was agreed that they need not attend, and the case was adjourned until October 19 fora plea and directions hearing.

The trial is scheduled to start in January, although a venue is yet to be confirmed.

The defendants - a father and two sons - are accused of killing Amy Smith, 17, her six-and-a-half-month-old daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt, and her friend Edward Green, 17, in the blaze which happened in the early hours of June 21.

Police revealed at the time that the three died of smoke inhalation.

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Ruby-Grace’s father Shaun Gaunt, 18 - Amy’s boyfriend - was rescued from the three-storey property by neighbours. Another friend, aged 17, also escaped the blaze.

Edward, a student at Derby College and previously a pupil at Heanor Gate Science College, was described as a hero after it emerged he had escaped before going back into the house to try and save Amy and Ruby-Grace.

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