Image copyright PA Image caption The shop and flat above were both destroyed in the blast

Three men accused of causing an explosion which gutted a shop in Leicester, killing five people, have denied arson and manslaughter.

A flat above the Polish supermarket in Hinckley Road, was also destroyed in the blast on 25 February.

Aram Kurd, Arkan Ali and Hawkar Hassan appeared at Leicester Crown Court via video link.

All three have been remanded in custody until another hearing at the same court in August.

Image caption Store owner Aram Kurd is among the three men charged with arson and manslaughter

The defendants are:

Aram Kurd, 33, of Hillary Place, Leicester

Hawkar Hassan, 32, of no fixed address

Arkan Ali, 37, of Drake Close, Oldham

They each face five counts of manslaughter and one count of arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

A further charge of conspiracy to commit fraud with Viktorija Ljevleva, one of the deceased, between December 31, 2017 and February 26, 2018 was also denied by the three men.

Image copyright Leicestershire Police Image caption Mary Ragoobar lived in a flat above the shop with her sons Sean and Shane

Mary Ragoobar, 46, and her sons, Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and Sean Ragoobeer, 17, who lived in the flat above the shop, died alongside Shane's girlfriend Leah Reek, 18

Mr Ali's partner, 22-year-old shop worker Viktorija Ijevleva, also died in the explosion.

Mrs Ragoobar's husband, Jose Ragoobeer, was working at the time of the explosion. Their youngest son Scotty survived.

Inquests into the deaths of the five victims have been opened and adjourned.

Image copyright Leicestershire Police Image caption Leah Reek, who was Shane Ragoobeer's girlfriend, also died in the explosion

Image copyright Leicestershire Police Image caption The explosion killed shop worker Viktorija Ijevleva, who was the partner of one of the men accused of arson and manslaughter

At an earlier hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court, the prosecution said the explosion had been caused by petrol spread throughout the shop.

Seven people have been arrested in total over the explosion.</s>Three men have denied arson and manslaughter charges at their court appearance after five people were killed in an explosion at a Polish supermarket in Leicester.

Arkan Ali, 37, Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Aram Kurd, 33, were arrested after the blast destroyed the shop and two-storey flat above on 25 February.

Mary Ragoobeer, 46, her sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, Leah Beth Reek, 18, who was Shane’s girlfriend, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22, were all killed in the incident on Hinckley Road.

The trio each face five counts of manslaughter and one count of arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered. The three men denied a further charge of conspiracy to commit fraud with Ljevleva.

Appearing at Leicester crown court on Tuesday via video link from HMP Woodhill, Kurd, Hassan and Ali only spoke to confirm their names and to deny all seven alleged offences. During a 50-minute hearing, the three men were told their trial was likely to be heard under a high court judge.

The prosecution had told an earlier hearing at Leicester magistrates court that the explosion was caused by petrol spread throughout the shop.

Jose Ragoobeer, paying tribute to his wife and two sons after the incident, said: “Our lives will never be the same. What happened that day has affected so many people’s lives. Every day they will all be missed.” 



Reek’s family said their hearts were breaking and described her as a “beautiful, bubbly baby girl”. “There is a part of us gone forever,” they said. “We will always miss her cheeky smile and will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.”

Ljevleva’s mother said: “There are very few children like my beautiful Viktorija. Friends were always jealous that I never had any problems with my little one. We shared a mutual understanding with one another. We miss her terribly.”

Ali, of Drake Close, Oldham, Hassan, of no fixed abode, and Kurd, of Hillary Place, Leicester, were remanded into custody by Judge Philip Head until a further hearing on 31 August at the same court.</s>A Coventry man and two others have denied manslaughter charges after five people were killed in a shop explosion.

Hawkar Hassan, from Foleshill, was arrested after the blast destroyed a Polish supermarket and two-storey flat in Leicester on February 25.

Also arrested were Arkan Ali and Aram Kurd, and all three appeared at Leicester Crown Court this morning where they pleaded not guilty to five counts of manslaughter.

All three also denied separate counts of arson being reckless as to endanger life and fraud by false representation.

During a 50-minute hearing, Kurd, 33, who was wearing a grey jumper, and Hassan, 32, and 37-year-old Ali, wearing blue jumpers, only spoke to confirm their names and to deny all seven alleged offences.

Appearing via video-link from HMP Woodhill, the three men were told their trial is likely to be heard under a High Court Judge.

Hassan, stated as of no fixed abode in court, Ali, of Drake Close, Oldham, and Kurd, of Hillary Place, Leicester, were remanded into custody by Judge Philip Head until a further hearing on August 31 at the same court.

The fatal blast happened at a shop in Hinckley Road, Leicester, and left five people dead.

Among them was Mary Ragoobeer, 46, and her sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, as well as Leah Beth Reek, 18, who was Shane’s girlfriend, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22.

Viktorija had been due to start a new job in Coventry and her mother said: “There are very few children like my beautiful Viktorija. Friends were always jealous that I never had any problems with my little one.

“We shared a mutual understanding with one another. We miss her terribly.”

Jose Ragoobeer, paying tribute to his wife and two sons after the incident, said: “Our lives will never be the same. What happened that day has affected so many people’s lives. Every day they will all be missed.”

Ms Reek’s family said: “Our whole family’s heart is breaking because we have lost our beautiful, bubbly baby girl.

“There is a part of us gone forever. We will always miss her cheeky smile and will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.”

Four other men were also arrested in connection with the incident and released under investigation.

Two men in their 30s from East Anglia were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion and offences under the proceeds of crime act.

They were both released under investigation at the start of March.

The third, a man in his 40s from East Anglia, had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Saturday, March 3, and was released two days later after being quizzed by officers.

The fourth, a man in his 30s from the East Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Tuesday, March 6.

He was released from police custody on Wednesday, March 7.

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Search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family notice here.</s>Three men accused of causing an explosion which gutted a shop in Leicester, killing five people, have denied arson and manslaughter.

A flat above the Polish supermarket in Hinckley Road, was also destroyed in the blast on 25 February.

Aram Kurd, Arkan Ali and Hawkar Hassan appeared at Leicester Crown Court via video link.

All three have been remanded in custody until another hearing at the same court in August.

They each face five counts of manslaughter and one count of arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

A further charge of conspiracy to commit fraud with Viktorija Ljevleva, one of the deceased, between December 31, 2017 and February 26, 2018 was also denied by the three men.

Mary Ragoobar, 46, and her sons, Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and Sean Ragoobeer, 17, who lived in the flat above the shop, died alongside Shane's girlfriend Leah Reek, 18

Mr Ali's partner, 22-year-old shop worker Viktorija Ijevleva, also died in the explosion.

Mrs Ragoobar's husband, Jose Ragoobeer, was working at the time of the explosion. Their youngest son Scotty survived.

Inquests into the deaths of the five victims have been opened and adjourned.

At an earlier hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court, the prosecution said the explosion had been caused by petrol spread throughout the shop.

Seven people have been arrested in total over the explosion.</s>A man from Coventry is due in court today in connection with the explosion at a shop in Leicester that killed five people.

Hawkar Hassan, 32, of Foleshill, is charged with five counts of manslaughter and arson with intent to endanger life following the blast in Hinckley Road on Sunday, February 25.

Hassan is due to appear at Leicester Crown Court today for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He will be joined in the dock by co-defendants Aram Kurd, 33, from Hillary Place, Leicester, and Arkan Ali, 37, of Drake Close, Oldham.

Kurd is the shopkeeper whose premises was destroyed in the blast.

All three men are currently remanded in custody following a hearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court last month.

Five people - including a mother and two of her sons - were killed in the blast on February 25.

Mary Ragoobeer, 46, and sons Shane, 18, and 17-year-old Sean lost their lives, along with Shane’s girlfriend Leah Reek, 18, and Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, who was believed to have been working in the shop at the time of the explosion.

Viktorija had been due to start a new job in Coventry.

Shane and Sean’s 15-year-old brother Scotty survived the blast. The schoolboy, who was pulled from the rubble, was taken to hospital with injuries, but has since been discharged.

Their father Jose Ragoobeer, a carer, was at work when the tragedy happened.

Four other men were also arrested in connection with the incident and released under investigation.

Two men in their 30s from East Anglia were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion and offences under the proceeds of crime act.

They were both released under investigation at the start of March.

The third, a man in his 40s from East Anglia, had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Saturday, March 3, and was released two days later after being quizzed by officers.

The fourth, a man in his 30s from the East Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Tuesday, March 6.

He was released from police custody on Wednesday, March 7.

Download our all-new mobile app to get the latest news, sport and what's on. Click here for iPhone and here for Android

Looking for an older story? Search our archives

Search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family notice here.</s>Three men have denied manslaughter charges after five people were killed in a shop explosion.

Arkan Ali, 37, Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Aram Kurd, 33, were arrested after the blast destroyed a Polish supermarket and two-storey flat on February 25.

Mary Ragoobeer, 46, her sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, Leah Beth Reek, 18, who was Shane's girlfriend, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22, were all killed in the incident on Hinckley Road, Leicester.

The trio also pleaded not guilty to separate counts of arson being reckless as to endanger life and fraud by false representation.

During a 50-minute hearing, Kurd, wearing a grey jumper, and Hassan and Ali, wearing blue jumpers, only spoke to confirm their names and to deny all seven alleged offences.

Appearing at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday via video-link from HMP Woodhill, the three men were told their trial is likely to be heard under a High Court Judge.

Jose Ragoobeer, paying tribute to his wife and two sons after the incident, said: "Our lives will never be the same. What happened that day has affected so many people's lives. Every day they will all be missed."

Ms Reek's family said: "Our whole family's heart is breaking because we have lost our beautiful, bubbly baby girl.

"There is a part of us gone forever. We will always miss her cheeky smile and will miss her every day for the rest of our lives."

Ms Ljevleva's mother said: "There are very few children like my beautiful Viktorija. Friends were always jealous that I never had any problems with my little one.

"We shared a mutual understanding with one another. We miss her terribly."

Ali, of Drake Close, Oldham, Hassan, of no fixed abode and Kurd, of Hillary Place, Leicester, were remanded into custody by Judge Philip Head until a further hearing on August 31 at the same court.</s>These are external links and will open in a new window

Two men arrested in connection with a suspected gas explosion at a chicken shop have been released on bail.

The 26 and 28 year olds were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson after a fire at Dixy Chicken in Kings Heath, Birmingham, at about 23:30 BST on Saturday.

They arrived at hospital with minor burns, police said.

The shop on Alcester Road South, was closed at the time and no-one was injured.</s>Three plead guilty, one sentenced for illegal re-entry</s>Three men are due to appear in court on manslaughter charges after a shop explosion left five people dead.

Arkan Ali, 37, Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Aram Kurd, 33, were arrested after the blast destroyed a Polish supermarket and two-storey flat on February 25.

Mary Ragoobeer, 46, her sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, Leah Beth Reek, 18, who was Shane’s girlfriend, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22, were all killed in the incident on Hinckley Road, Leicester.

File photo dated 27/02/18 of emergency services at the scene of an explosion on Hinckley Road in Leicester. Investigations at the scene of an explosion which killed five are due to finish, emergency services have said.

The trio also face a separate count of arson with intent to endanger life.

Ali, of Drake Close, Oldham, Hassan, of no fixed abode and Kurd, of Hillary Place, Leicester, will appear at Leicester Crown Court for a plea hearing later.</s>A man from Oldham has denied manslaughter charges after five people died in an explosion at a supermarket.

Arkan Ali, 37, of Drake Close, Oldham, formerly entered not guilty pleas to five counts of manslaughter at a brief hearing at Leicester Crown Court.

He also denied separate counts of arson being reckless as to endanger life and fraud by false representation.

The charges follow an explosion at a Polish store on Hinckley Road, Leicester, in February.

A two-storey flat above was also destroyed in the blast.

Mary Ragoobeer, 46; her sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17; Leah Beth Reek, 18, who was Shane’s girlfriend; and Viktorija Ljevleva, from Oldham, 22, all died.

Two other men, Hawkar Hassan, 32, of no fixed abode, and Aram Kurd, 33, of Hillary Place, Leicester, also appeared in court on Tuesday alongside Ali via video link from HMP Woodhill.

During a 50-minute hearing, Mr Kurd, wearing a grey jumper, and Mr Hassan and Mr Ali, wearing blue jumpers, only spoke to confirm their names.

The three men were told their trial is likely to be heard by a High Court Judge.

The families involved paid tribute to their loved ones after the explosion.

Jose Ragoobeer, paying tribute to his wife and two sons after the incident, said: “Our lives will never be the same. What happened that day has affected so many people’s lives. Every day they will all be missed.”

Ms Reek’s family said: “Our whole family’s heart is breaking because we have lost our beautiful, bubbly baby girl. There is a part of us gone forever. We will always miss her cheeky smile and will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.”

Ms Ljevleva’s mother said: “There are very few children like my beautiful Viktorija.

“Friends were always jealous that I never had any problems with my little one.

“We shared a mutual understanding with one another. We miss her terribly.”

The explosion on February 25, which was followed by a fire, destroyed the Zabka store and the flat above, where Shane Ragoobeer and his brother Sean were living.

Ali was remanded in custody by Judge Philip Head alongside Kurd and Hassan until a further hearing on August 31 at the same court.
Three men plead not guilty to arson and manslaughter in connection to the deaths of five people in an explosion at a shop in Leicester, England.