Mum to stand trial for killing her four young sons in 'intense blaze' house fire

08 January 2024 , 10:55

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Kyson, Bryson, Leyton and Logan Hoath, all died in the house fire (Image: DevecaRose/Facebook)

A mum charged with killing her four young children in a house fire will face trial in the autumn, after she appeared at the Old Bailey this morning.

Four-year-old twins Kyson and Bryson Hoath and their younger brothers, twins Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three, all died in the inferno at their home in Collingwood Road, Sutton, south London in December 2021. Their mother, Deveca Rose, now 29, faces four four counts of manslaughter and child abandonment after the boys were reportedly found home alone.

Firefighters raced to the scene, and were able to pull the children from the blaze and get them to hospital, but they could not be saved and were all later pronounced dead. Today, Rose was not asked to enter pleas to the charges and spoke only to confirm her identity during a short hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC. The judge adjourned the plea hearing to March 8 and set a provisional trial of up to four weeks from September 2. The trial will be heard at the Old Bailey before Judge Lucraft, who is the Recorder of London.

The children had been rescued from the “intense blaze” at the mid-terrace house by firefighters. They were given CPR before they were taken to two south London hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. At the conclusion of her first appearance at the Old Bailey, Judge Lucraft granted her continued conditional bail.

The boy’s father Dalton Hoath, 28, said he didn't know how he will carry on his life without his beloved sons. He said: “It’s a miracle I haven’t lost the plot already.” The dad said the foursome had been talking about their upcoming first football match that would have been carrying on a family tradition, as the family have supported Wimbledon for years. The youngsters' grandfather Jason Hoath, a security officer at AFC Wimbledon, identified his grandchildren in hospital with his son Dalton and said they looked “like angels”.

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Deveca Rose is charged with manslaughter (DevecaRose/Facebook)

Sharing a a moving tribute after their deaths on Facebook, he described them as his “smart and beautiful grandsons”. He wrote: "I am devastated to say that the horrendous house fire that took place in Sutton last night leading to four children loosing their lives were my amazing, smart and beautiful grandsons. Kyson and Bryson, aged four, and Leyton and Logan, aged three, were taken too soon they will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Boys, I love you forever. Grandad xxx".

Mr Hoath with his four twin boys

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said firefighters were “numb with profound sadness” after the tragedy. Staff members involved in the incident will be offered counselling ”as a priority”. Mr Roe added: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire."

Kelly-Ann Mills