A teenager accused of murdering two sisters who died in a house fire will be tried by a jury next year.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Demi Jade Spence, 12, and her sister Tatum Leah Spence, 14, on April 4.
The girls were killed when fire raged through their South Shields home on April 4.
Their parents John and Anita Spence, 37, were also injured in the blaze and the youth has pleaded not guilty to their attempted murder.
The case was back before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday where a trial date of January 28 next year was confirmed.
The accused teen was remanded in custody in the meantime.
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