The grief-stricken family of Iram Shah will never recover from the tragic loss of the much-loved mother and her children, the court heard.

Andrew Stubbs QC, for the Crown, said those people who last had contact with Alina and Aman felt guilt and grief that they were unable to save them.

Mrs Shah’s heartbroken brother, Mohsan Rasa, who was in the house when the fire started, battled to save his sister and the children.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Rasa said: “I feel so helpless that I was unable to prevent their deaths.

“Not a moment of any day goes by that I don’t think of them.

“Every time I close my eyes, I can still see Iram’s fragile body burned and broken: still hear her cry for help.”