Woman denies murder by torching house

Published on 31/03/2012 12:00

A WOMAN has denied murdering a teenager more than ten years ago by torching a house then fleeing the country.

Shafquat Saleem, 38, of Drum Brae Drive, Edinburgh, pleaded not guilty to allegations of wilful fireraising, murder and attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Prosecutors claim that she knew 18-year-old Imran Saleem and others were in the house in Barn Park, in the Wester Hailes area of the city, when – along with others – she poured petrol or something similar through the letterbox and set it alight.

Imran Saleem is said to have died from inhaling smoke and soot.

Other charges allege that Shafquat Saleem changed her appearance then travelled to Heathrow Airport, from where she flew out of the UK.

She made a brief appearance at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, where lawyers asked for more time to prepare for trial after formally entering not guilty pleas.

Shafquat Saleem is due back in court in May.