Sunday, 28 July, 2002, 18:43 GMT 19:43 UK
Man in court over blaze death

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering an elderly widow in a fire at her south Wales home.

Joseph Thomson, 27, of Cromwell Street, Glasgow, is accused of killing 68-year-old Ruth Whitton in the blaze at Oakdene Close, Port Talbot, last month.

Her body was recovered from an upstairs bedroom of her home, and her Falklands veteran son John, 39, was treated for the effects of smoke.

Mr Thomson was remanded in custody after a brief hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

He has also been charged with conspiracy to murder John Whitton along with co-defendants Paul Conner, 25, of Shettleston Road, Glasgow; Kathleen Blair, 40, of Talbot Road, Port Talbot, and Diane Inturussi, 44, of Mayfield Road, Port Talbot.

All were remanded in custody until 6 September. The court heard that detectives were seeking a fifth suspect in Scotland.