Josephine Smith (Met Police/PA)
(Picture: MET POLICE)Two teenagers accused of killing an 88-year-old pensioner in a fire at her east London home have appeared at the Old Bailey for the first time.
Kai Cooper, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, are accused of the manslaughter of Josephine Smith on October 28 last year.
Mrs Smith was pronounced dead after the Met Police, paramedics, and London Fire Brigade were called out to a fire at her home in Queens Park Road, Romford about 10.15pm.
The teenage defendants are both accused of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. A new charge of affray, relating to the alleged letting off of fireworks on the same evening, was added on Monday.
Cooper appeared at court via videolink from HMP Thameside, having been held in custody since he was charged in early April and moved to the prison last Thursday.
His co-defendant, who cannot be named due to his young age, was accompanied to the Old Bailey by his father.
Members of Mrs Smith’s family watched the hearing from the well of the courtroom, as neither defendant was asked to enter pleas on Monday.
They are due to return to court for a plea hearing on April 1.
Judge Angela Rafferty QC remanded Cooper, from Leatherhead, in custody until the next court date, and said a trial of the case would have to be heard at a different crown court.
The 16-year-old, of Southend, had been on conditional bail but was remanded into custody on Monday morning. His bail position was due to be reconsidered later on Monday.
