Skip to content

Date set for aunt and niece fire murder trial

Philippa GoymerNorth East and Cumbria
News imageSupplied A composite image of Natalie McDonald and Valentina Foster. McDonald is wearing a white wedding dress with a tiara perched on her head. She has long dark hair and is holding a bouquet of white roses with four blue ones dotted within it. Valentina wears an electric blue dress with white flowers on the neckline and waist. She has long light brown hair with a blue and white headband. She is holding a small white basket with white and blue roses and she wears white gloves. Supplied
Natalie McDonald and Valentina Foster died in a house fire near Middlesbrough

A man charged with murdering a woman and her seven-year-old niece in a house fire will go on trial next year.

Natalie McDonald, 34, and Valentina Foster died in the blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of 26 August.

Jaden Wright, 23, appeared via video link at Teesside Crown Court charged with two counts of murder as well as multiple counts of grievous bodily harm offences. A judge set a date of 14 April 2027 for any trial to begin.

Wright was remanded in custody and will next appear at the same court on 23 September for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Follow BBC Tees on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Tees on BBC Sounds.

Related internet links