An alleged arsonist yesterday pleaded not guilty to murdering a six-year-old girl who died in a house fire.
Daryll Tuzzio appeared at Birmingham Crown Court to deny killing Alisha Begum, who died in hospital after a blaze swept through her home in Bayswater Road, in the Perry Barr area of the city, on March 10.
Ten family members were in the house at the time of the fire - seven children, including Alisha, and three adults.
Tuzzio, 18, of Sandringham Road, Perry Barr, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, nine counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.
He appeared via videolink together with his co-defendant 26-year-old Hussain Ahmed, of Quinton Road West, Harborne, Birmingham.
Ahmed has been charged with one count of murder and nine counts of attempted murder but has yet to enter a plea to any of the charges.
The pair were remanded in custody and a trial date set for September 18.
During the fire, some of Alisha's family jumped out of a front window and others escaped down a ladder put against the rear of the property by a neighbour.
Alisha, the youngest of 12 children, was rescued by firefighters.
She suffered burns and was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital where her life-support machine was switched off the following day.
Alisha's mother Renu and four other children were taken to hospital.
