House fire which killed mother started accidentally as he lit cigarette, says son accused of her murder
31.01.2022 - 21:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man on trial accused of murdering his mother by setting her on fire told jurors the devastating blaze was started by accident as he lit a cigarette.
Mark See, 34, said he loved his mum Sandra See 'more than anything', as he recalled how he desperately tried to save her.
Ms See, 63, had to be identified by a metal plate in her leg after she died in the fire at the bungalow they shared with his girlfriend on Darras Road in Gorton.
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Prosecutors allege he intentionally started the fire in the early hours of July 13, after throwing petrol at his mother following a 'furious' argument.
Her son said the pair had been arguing, and that he went to get petrol to 'get a reaction' after his mother had said she wanted him to leave.
Mr See said he picked up a six pint milk carton, which he used to store petrol for a lawnmower, intending his mother and his girlfriend Natalie Hughes to think he was going to do 'something stupid' to himself.
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"Why did you having petrol make them think you were going to do something stupid to yourself?", his barrister Mark Rhind QC asked him as Mr See gave evidence at Manchester Crown Court.
"Because I had said things like that in the past, I have left and said I would crash my car into a wall after arguments," Mr See said.
Mr See, who had been drinking whiskey and coke, said he held the carton in one hand, and was holding a cigarette in