Retrial over explosion death

Mr and Mrs Kemalzade will be tried next year

A couple accused of killing a man who died after an explosion at a shop beneath his flat will be tried again in the New Year.

Colin Salt, from Stoke-on-Trent, died after suffering 60% burns in the explosion at the newsagents on Chell Road in Bradeley in December 2000.

The husband and wife running the store, Cinar and Sibel Kemalzade, were tried with manslaughter and conspiracy to commit arson, but the jury failed to reach a verdict.

A retrial is scheduled to take place in February next year.

The couple's first trial, which began in June 2003 and lasted four weeks, came to an end when the jury could not reach a decision after five days of deliberations.

Mr and Mrs Kemalzade were also charged with plotting to defraud an insurance company.

Efforts are still being made to contact Mr Kemalzade's brother, Karmel, who is thought be to living in northern Cyprus.

The country has no extradition treaty with the UK.