Broyinie Gawith: Man Guilty of Killing Mum and Three Children in Revenge Attack After He Set Their Home on Fire

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A Bradford house fire that killed a young mother and her three children in 2024, has now been ruled a deliberate act of revenge, following a major court verdict in December 2025.

Sharaz Ali, 40, has been found guilty of murdering Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children — Denisty, nine, Oscar, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle. 

The deadly fire happened in the early hours of 21 August 2024 at their home on Westbury Road, Bradford.

Ali was also convicted of the attempted murder of Antonia Gawith, Bryonie’s sister and his ex-girlfriend, after a trial at Doncaster Crown Court.

According to BBC, the attack was driven by anger and jealousy after Antonia ended her relationship with Ali.

Prosecutors said he was “motivated by jealousy and fuelled by drink and drugs” and wanted to cause “maximum pain.” Despite knowing children were inside the house, he went ahead with the plan.

Bryonie and her kids


On the night of the fire, Ali recruited Calum Sunderland, 26, who sometimes sold him drugs, to help carryout the crime.

Before heading to the house, the pair stopped at a petrol station in Keighley, where they filled a canister with fuel. Ali also sent Antonia a series of angry messages that night, accusing her of seeing someone else.

Ring doorbell footage captured the moment the two men approached the family home on Westbury Road.

Sunderland kicked in the door, then ran away, before Ali entered the house, and poured petrol throughout the property.

Antonia Gawith, who was staying at the house that night, said she tried to stop him by attempting to grab the fuel can and lighter. 

However, she left, and then ran outside, hoping to pull him away from the house. But Ali went back inside, and moments later, he ignited the petrol.

Bryonie Gawith and her three children were asleep upstairs and had no way out as the fire spread rapidly. 

Authorities believe the children likely lost consciousness quickly due to smoke inhalation. Despite fast and determined efforts by emergency services, all four victims died from injuries caused by the fire.

 “They left a mum and her three children completely helpless whilst her sister and their auntie watched on in horror,” said Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of West Yorkshire Police.


Calum Sunderland

Sharaz Ali 


Ali was arrested at the at the crime scene but suffered severe injuries. Infact doctors initially believed he would not survive, because he had burns to around 80% of his body and was placed in an induced coma for four months.

His accomplice, Sunderland was later found hiding in a basement in Keighley after police carried out extensive CCTV checks. A third man, Mohammed Shabir, who was accused of driving the pair to the house, died of a heart attack while on remand in prison.

On 10 December, 2025, the jury returned its verdicts at Doncaster Crown Court after a trial. 

Sharaz Ali was found guilty of four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Calum Sunderland was cleared of murder and attempted murder but he was convicted of four counts of manslaughter

Sunderland claimed he believed they were going to burn a car and said he would never have gone if he knew people were inside the house. Both men are due to be sentenced at a later date. Outside court, Antonia Gawith said:

“Even with justice, nothing will ever make this right. Our beautiful B was the glue that held us all together. She was the best daughter, sister, auntie and most of all the most devoted mother to her three children.”

West Yorkshire Police praised the work of emergency responders and investigators involved in the case.

“Whilst we know today’s conviction will do nothing to bring them back, I hope the family can find some justice from it,” said DCI Stacey Atkinson.

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