A man has pleaded guilty to killing a mother and her two children – but has denied triple murder.
Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, three-year-old Fatimah Drammeh and one-year-old Naeemah Drammeh died following a fire at their home in Fairisle Close, Clifton, in Nottingham.
Emergency services had rushed to the scene at 3.17am on November 20 after neighbours saw smoke gushing from the windows.
Jamie Barrow, the family’s neighbour, entered not guilty pleas to the murders of Fatoumatta and her two children at Nottingham Crown Court today.
But the 31-year-old did admit three charges of manslaughter to all three victims.
Standing in the dock wearing a pale grey sweater and bottoms, Barrow was addressed by the court clerk and he confirmed his name with the words, ‘Yes, I am’.
As well as the three murders, he also denied arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered on November 20, 2022, following the fire.
Barrow’s case will now go to trial, which is expected to last three weeks, from June 12.
Fatoumatta’s devastated mum, Aminata Dibba, 44, had described her daughter as ‘my best friend’ and said ‘everyone who knew her was shocked about the news’.
Speaking of the tragedy, she had told Nottinghamshire Live: ‘My heart is aching every day. I cannot sleep. Everyone who knew her loved her. She was very vibrant and bubbly – and she was always smiling.’
Grieving husband Aboubacarr Drammeh previously had said his wife Fatoumatta and their two children were set to join him for a new life in America.
Mr Drammeh, who flew back from the US following the fire, had said: ‘It is with great sadness that we have lost Fatoumatta and our two daughters in such a tragic way.
‘Fatoumatta had lived a short but a very beautiful and fulfilling life. A former voluntary worker, Fatoumatta was a very happy, bubbly woman who wouldn’t have the heart to hurt a fly.’
Steven Davies, 54, who lives in the property below, had previously said he woke up to see smoke and saw emergency services bring the children out of the property.
‘The lady who lives there was really kind. The children were lovely. They were normal little kids,’ he had explained.
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