Man denies murdering pensioner who died following a house fire in Wednesbury
John Edwards died in hospital on May 25th
Last updated 1st Aug 2025
A man has appeared in court to deny the murder of a pensioner who died days after a house fire in the West Midlands.
John Edwards, aged 82, and three others were left seriously injured following a fire at an address in Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, in the early hours of May 11th and Mr Edwards died in hospital on May 25th.
Appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court via video-link from HMP Birmingham on Friday, Andrew Gorrell, aged 53, denied murdering Mr Edwards and a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
He also pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder relating to Doreen Edwards, Mark Edwards and Carl Edwards.
Gorrell, of Moss Grove in Saltney, Flintshire, wearing a black jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms, sat behind a table with his hands clasped in his lap for the hearing.
Judge Simon Ward set a provisional date for a trial lasting eight days as January 28th 2026 and said a pre-trial hearing would take place on November 7th.
Gorrell is to remain in custody.