Man In Court Over Girl's Fire Death

16 March 2011, 15:50 | Updated: 21 March 2011, 14:25

A man appeared in court on Monday accused of the murder of a six-year-old girl who was killed in a house fire.

Dumo Sibanda died after a fire at her home in Banks Road, Pound Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, on October 26 2004.

Members of her family managed to escape the blaze but the girl was found inside. She was taken to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

George Champion Sithole, of no fixed address, made a first appearance at Lewes Crown Court where he also faced charges of arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The 40-year-old was remanded in custody to appear for a plea hearing on May 27, a court official said.

He was arrested in South Africa in March last year and extradition proceedings took place, resulting in him arriving back in the UK last week.