Kai Cooper – 18 of Cleve Road, Leatherhead and a 15-year-old male from Southend appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 8 January charged with the manslaughter of Josephine Smith and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Both were also charged with assault by beating with relates to a separate offence on 27 October in High Road, Ilford.
Cooper was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 11 January. The 15-year-old male has been bailed to next appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 11 January.
The charges follow an incident where police were called to reports of a fire at a residential address in Queens Park Road, Romford on Thursday, 28 October.
Josephine Smith – 88 – was pronounced dead at the scene.
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