York man to face murder trial decades after woman set on fire

Jacqueline Kirk died in 2019 after being set alight in 1998

The attack is said to have happened in Dolphin Square in Weston-super-Mare in 1998
Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 7th Jun 2021

A man from York is due to face trial in January next year, accused of murdering a woman who was set on fire in 1998.

57-year-old Steven Craig allegedly attacked Jacqueline Kirk in Weston-super-Mare, leaving her with "serious burns".

Ms. Kirk died at the age of 62 in August 2019.

On Monday, Craig appeared at Bristol Crown Court via video link where he spoke only to confirm his name.

Prosecutor Ramin Pakrooh told the court that Craig was arrested last week on Thursday June 3 on the charge of murdering Ms Kirk between April 18 1998 and August 23 2019.

Judge Peter Blair QC set a provisional date of January 24 for a four-week trial and remanded Craig in custody.

Craig, of Brailsford Road, York, will next appear at a pre-trial hearing on August 16.