Imagine losing your loved ones in a devastating house fire, only to discover it was all because of a drug-related dispute they had nothing to do with. This is the heartbreaking reality for the families of Sheila Jackson, 83, and Eric Greener, 77, who perished in a blaze set alight in their St Helens home last July. But here's where it gets even more shocking: the fire was allegedly intended for someone else entirely – Sheila's son, George Jackson, who occasionally stayed at the South John Street property. And this is the part most people miss: the tragedy stems from a complex web of drug dealings, betrayal, and a dangerous obsession with saving 'face'.
The story begins with George Jackson, who found himself entangled in the local drug scene. A month before the fire, he had helped Kylie Maynard, a cocaine dealer operating from a tent near a canal, after she was robbed of her drugs. Jackson took her to his mother's house, where she stayed for two days. As a gesture of gratitude, Kevin Weetman, allegedly a key figure in the drug network, gave Jackson drugs worth several hundred pounds. Here’s where the controversy starts: Weetman reportedly tried to recruit Jackson as a drug dealer, but Jackson refused. This refusal, prosecutors claim, led to a catastrophic chain of events.
According to Nigel Power KC, prosecuting, Weetman was deeply concerned about losing 'face' – a concept of reputation and respect that holds immense weight in the drug underworld. When Jackson declined the offer to deal drugs, Weetman allegedly orchestrated the arson attack to restore his damaged pride. The plan, prosecutors say, was to target Jackson's home, unaware that his elderly mother and her partner would be the ones paying the ultimate price.
On the night of July 15th, Paul Smith and Lee Owens, who have admitted to their involvement, traveled from Liverpool to St Helens to carry out the attack. Owens has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming he only intended to damage the property, not cause harm. However, Weetman and Maynard deny any involvement in the fire or the deaths, adding another layer of complexity to this already tangled case.
But here's the real question: Could this tragedy have been prevented if the drug dispute had been resolved differently? And what does this say about the lengths people will go to in order to maintain their reputation in such a dangerous world? As the six-week trial unfolds at Liverpool Crown Court, these questions will undoubtedly spark intense debate. What’s your take? Do you think the pursuit of 'face' justifies such extreme actions? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more updates on this gripping case, tune into BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/curation/p0cjdwyw) or follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bbcmerseyside), X (https://twitter.com/bbcmerseyside), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bbcmerseyside/). You can also send your story ideas via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.
