Life for the man, 18, who killed his two teenage sisters in arson attack at family home

A teenager was yesterday found guilty of killing his two teenage sisters after torching the family home in a fit of jealous rage.

Shane Spence, 18, doused a sofa in petrol before setting it ablaze whilst his younger siblings slept in their beds in an attic room.

Tatum Leah, 14, and Demi Jade, 12, were both trapped as flames engulfed the property in April last year.

Their parents, John and Anita Spence, frantically tried to rescue the girls but each time were forced back by the sheer intensity of the flames.

As Spence was told he must serve a minimum of six years in jail, his father maintained his son was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Offering a £25,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person he believes was responsible Mr Spence, who suffered 42 per cent burns in the fire, said: "The lad is innocent.

"We know our son did not do this and we will not rest until the truth comes out.The verdict was what we expected, but the campaign still goes on.

His son, who was 17 at the time, is believed to have started the fire because of "jealousy or sibling rivalry".

His life in turmoil he had recently quit his job, much to his father's "disgust", and had tried to commit suicide just days before the fire, the court was told.

In February a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of manslaughter and arson, but not guilty of the attempted murder of his parents.

Jailing him Mr Justice Simon said: "This case stands as a warning of the appalling consequences of setting fire to houses, even where the intention is not to kill or cause really serious injury.

Demi-Jade Spence, 12, and her sister Tatum Leah, 14, (right) who died when fire swept through their home in South Shields, South Tyneside

"In less than half an hour, the house had been engulfed in flames, your two sisters had died and your father had been badly burned.

"The deaths of these two young girls in these appalling circumstances caused shock and outrage and the extent of your parents' grief can only be imagined.

"The reason you set the fire may have been jealousy or sibling rivalry. The reason may simply be one that lies beyond the present reach of human understanding.

"In my opinion, these crimes and the circumstances in which they were committed show clearly that you present a considerable risk of serious injury to the public.

"I am not satisfied that life imprisonment is appropriate, but I am clear that it is appropriate to pass an indeterminate sentence for the protection of the public."

Spence, who has a low IQ and is dyslexic, was expressionless as he was led from the dock.

The father-of-one, who was not living at the family home at the time of the fire, crept into the house in South Shields, South Tyneside, at around 12.45am on April 4 last year.

John and Anita Spence with their two daughters who died in the blaze.

He then entered the living room before pouring a can of petrol onto the sofa. Setting fire to it he then fled the three bedroom property, leaving his parents and two sisters trapped inside.

Whilst Spence returned to a friend's house to watch a film the fire was already spreading through the house.

Woken by the smoke Mr Spence tried to reach his daughters but on each occasion was beaten back by the flames. He and his wife, both 38, eventually jumped from a window.

In a frantic 999 call made by a neighbour Mrs Spence can be heard in the background shouting: "The girls can't get out."

Despite frantic efforts by their parents and firefighters - who arrived at the scene within minutes - Tatum was found dead at the bottom of her be whilst Demi Jade was discovered near the window of their attic bedroom.

The court was told that Spence, father to one-year-old daughter Leeanda, had set the family's garden shed alight when he was 12-years-old and was well known to the police.

Outside court Detective Chief Inspector Mick Paterson, who led the investigation, said: "Our thoughts are with the family, who were quite clearly distraught with the deaths of the two sisters. No sentence can reflect the loss of these young lives."

He dismissed suggestions that Spence was innocent and insisted: "There was compelling evidence of how the fire was started and how thorough police investigative work lasted many, many months.

'We are completely satisfied with the investigation and the jury listened very carefully to all the evidence and found Shane guilty.'