Man denies murdering girl, 7, and her aunt in house fire near Middlesbrough

A man has denied murdering a seven-year-old girl and her aunt in a house fire near Middlesbrough.

Schoolgirl Valentina Foster and Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a blaze in Grangetown on 26 August.

Two adults and two teenagers were also injured.

Jaden Wright, 23, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at Teesside Crown Court when he appeared via a video link from prison on Wednesday.

Wright also denied two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

He also pleaded not guilty to causing a woman grievous bodily harm and intentional strangulation, relating to an alleged incident on 25 August.

Wright sat behind a desk for the 10-minute hearing, wearing a grey sweatshirt.

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He was told he will go on trial on 19 April 2027.

Wright was remanded in custody by Judge Francis Laird KC ahead of a further hearing on 18 December.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man denies murdering girl, 7, and her aunt in house fire near Middlesbrough