Mother and brother of North Tyneside teenager appear in court over fire which caused her death
The mother and brother of a teenager, who died in a house fire in North Shields, have appeared in court today, charged with manslaughter, as well as abstracting electricity
Last updated 8th Jan 2026
The mother and brother of a teenager, who died in a house fire in North Shields, have appeared in court today, charged with manslaughter, as well as abstracting electricity.
Leah Casson, 18, died in a blaze at her home in Vicarage Street, in January 2023.
Her mother Danielle Johnson, 43, and brother Louis Casson, 19, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court where they spoke to confirm their name, age and address.
They are both charged with manslaughter and the mother faces two counts of abstracting electricity while her son faces one count.
Co-accused Craig Watson, 42, appeared via a video link.
He is also charged with manslaughter and two counts of abstracting electricity.
Calvin Smith, 37, of North Tyneside, did not enter pleas to the two charges of abstracting electricity that he faces. He is not charged with killing the teenager.
All four defendants were granted unconditional bail to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on February 10.
Northumbria Police initially treated the fire as arson, and at the time Ms Casson's loved ones paid tribute, saying: "Leah was an outgoing, bubbly young woman who we loved so much and we can't believe she has gone.
"Please let us grieve for her as a family and respect our privacy at this time."