Grandson charged with murder after woman’s death in Birkenhead house fire

Jun 3 2009 by Chloe Griffiths, Birkenhead News

A MAN has been charged with murdering his grandmother, who died after being rescued from her blazing home in Birkenhead.

Mary Woolley, 71, was pulled out alive as the flames engulfed her terraced home on April 8.

The 71-year-old was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, but died the following day.

Mrs Woolley’s grandson, Stephen Hampson, was arrested shortly after the blaze broke out at her Tulip Avenue house, in Birkenhead.

He was initially charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

But, at Liverpool Crown Court last week, Donal McGuire, prosecuting, said Hampson had now been visited by police in prison and formally charged with her murder.

Hampson, of Alver-stone Avenue, Birkenhead, appeared via video-link.

He is still also facing the arson charge.

A plea and case management hearing has been fixed for July 9 and a trial date set for October 26.