This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Shopkeeper Adeel Khan Guilty Of Deaths Of Three Residents In Inferno

He reportedly showed little remorse.

A Rozelle shopkeeper who intentionally lit a fire that killed three people has been found guilty of manslaughter over the deaths of mother Bianka O'Brien and her infant son, Jude.

A jury found Adeel Khan guilty of manslaughter in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Khan was last week also found guilty of one count of murder over the death of Chris Noble, as well as two counts of grievous bodily harm.

Adeel Khan reportedly set his failing business alight for an insurance payout.
Anna Kucera / Fairfax Media
Adeel Khan reportedly set his failing business alight for an insurance payout.

The fire consumed the building on September 4, 2014 as multiple containers of petrol exploded in Khan's shop, killing Noble in the apartment above and injuring two roommates. The court heard Noble was trapped in his room and sent a text message to his mother during the inferno that said "I love you".

The fire then spread to the O'Brien home that burned down with mother and son inside.

While Khan initially said robbers tied him up and burned down his shop, police uncovered receipts from Khan for more than 20 litres of fuel bought in the middle of the night as well as evidence of financial woes.

Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC described Khan's description of events as "preposterous" claiming Khan wanted to burn down the building to claim $225,000 worth of insurance money.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Khan showed little emotion as the verdicts were read.

Noble's mother Liz said she was disappointed by the manslaughter verdict.

"What a dreadful waste of three young lives that should have been safe sleeping in their own beds in Rozelle, as they were 21 months ago; lives taken so callously by the act of a man focused only on his own perceived needs," Noble said outside of court.

"The accused has never expressed any remorse or sorrow for the lives taken and that has been really, really difficult for us."

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton will hear sentencing submissions on July 22.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.