Langley Mill flat fire: Baby 'died in mother's arms'

A six-month-old baby killed in a flat fire was found in her dead mother's arms, a murder trial has heard.

Amy Smith, 17, daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt and friend Edward Green, also 17, died in the blaze at Langley Mill in Derbyshire last year.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Peter Eyre and his sons Simon and Anthony Eyre deliberately started the fire in a row over a moped.

All three men deny three counts of murder.

James House QC, for the prosecution, told the court how the victims tried to escape but found the locks had melted.

Mr Green was overcome by smoke in the hallway, while Ms Smith had wrapped her baby daughter in a blanket but also died trying to find a way out.

Jurors previously heard Ruby-Grace's father, 18-year-old Shaun Gaunt, and another teenager who survived the fire were also inside the flat.

Although Mr Gaunt and the other survivor escaped with the help of neighbours using ladders, Ms Smith and her daughter succumbed to smoke on a landing.

The court was told the "catalyst" for the attack was an argument over the alleged theft of a moped that belonged to Mr Gaunt.

Alleging Peter Eyre, 44, Simon Eyre, 24, and 22-year-old Anthony Eyre drove to Langley Mill, Mr House said of the blaze: "It was set using petrol which had been poured in the area immediately outside the front door."

Mr House told the jury Simon Eyre was recorded while in custody talking to his heavily pregnant girlfriend Sophie Smith about his motorbike.

Mr Eyre is recorded saying "as far as I know petrol is all the same. I can't see how they can match my..." followed by something inaudible.

The prosecution said the petrol used to start the fire came from the vehicle.

The jury also heard Ms Smith told police Simon Eyre looked scared when he learned of the deaths and said he wished he had never gone out that night with his dad.

Mr Eyre denies he was ever at the scene.

His brother Anthony Eyre has admitted three counts of manslaughter in relation to the blaze, having conceded he set fire to a car parked outside the flat without any intention to kill or cause serious harm.

The trial continues.