Mother Guilty of Manslaughter After Four Young Sons Die in Devastating House Fire
Tragedy Strikes in Sutton Family Home
A mother, Deveca Rose, 29, has been found guilty of manslaughter after four of her young sons perished in a tragic house fire while she was out shopping. The horrifying blaze broke out on December 16, 2021, in their home on Collingwood Road, Sutton, where Rose had locked her two sets of twins inside alone.
An Old Bailey jury delivered the verdict after over three hours of deliberation, convicting Rose on four counts of manslaughter by a majority vote of 11 to one. She was, however, cleared of child cruelty charges. Judge Mark Lucraft KC described the case as “tragic” and postponed sentencing to November 15, granting Rose bail in the meantime.
Children Left Alone in Squalid Conditions
The family lived in appalling conditions, the court heard. Prosecutor Kate Lumsdon KC revealed the house was piled with rubbish and human waste, forcing the children to use buckets instead of a proper toilet. The boys — three-year-old twins Leyton and Logan Hoath, and four-year-old twins Kyson and Bryson Hoath — were trapped inside during the fatal fire.
On the night of the fire, Rose had gone to a Sainsbury’s, leaving the boys alone. The blaze likely started from a cigarette or tea light in the living room. In a desperate attempt to escape, the children ran upstairs calling for help.
Hero Neighbour and Firefighters Battle Flames
A neighbour tried to force open the front door but failed. Firefighters rushed in wearing breathing gear and found the boys hiding under their beds. Although rushed to hospital, all four died from inhaling fire fumes. Rose returned home as firefighters were still at the scene and was taken in by a neighbour.
During the investigation, Rose falsely claimed a friend named Jade had been watching the children, but police found no evidence Jade existed or that anyone else had been there.
Warning Signs Ignored, Mental Health Issues Revealed
- Rose admitted she had left her children alone on two previous occasions.
- The boys’ father, Dalton Hoath, said she had left them alone “once or twice” to visit a nearby shop.
- Relatives testified Rose frequently left the children home alone in poor conditions.
- Social worker Georgia Singh revealed prior concerns were raised, but the case was closed three months before the fire.
- Rose showed signs of declining physical and mental health, but no earlier intervention was made despite the children missing school for three weeks before the fire.
Defence barrister Laurie-Anne Power KC pointed to missed chances by social services and Rose’s evident distress. However, the prosecution argued mental health struggles did not excuse her actions.
Trial and Next Steps
Rose joined most of the trial by video link on medical advice and did not testify in her defence. While evidence suggested she may have suffered from depression and a personality disorder, this was not accepted as a defence.
Sentencing is set for November 15. Rose remains on bail until then as the community reels from the devastating loss of the young quadruplets.
