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The sentencing of Sharaz Ali and Calum Sunderland today marks the conclusion of one of the most harrowing criminal cases in West Yorkshire’s history, following the targeted arson that killed Bryonie Gawith and her three young children.
Sharaz Ali (left) and Calum Sunderland (right)
Profiles of the Convicted
Sharaz Ali, 40, was the primary architect of the attack. Born in the United Kingdom and of Pakistani heritage, Ali had no fixed address at the time of his arrest but was a well-known figure within the local Bradford community. His personal life was marked by a volatile seven-year relationship with Antonia Gawith, Bryonie’s sister, with whom he shared children. Evidence presented in court painted a picture of a man driven by "obsessive jealousy" and a history of domestic volatility. Ali, a long-term drug user, was described by witnesses as increasingly unstable after Antonia ended their relationship weeks before the fire. His accomplice, Calum Sunderland, 26, also of British-Pakistani descent and from the local area, acted as Ali's "right-hand man" during the planning and execution of the petrol attack.
The Shift in Legal Accountability
While initial reports focused on the "two men" standing trial, the conclusion of the legal proceedings has drawn a sharp distinction between the roles of the defendants. Sharaz Ali was convicted of four counts of murder and the attempted murder of his ex-partner, Antonia Gawith. Calum Sunderland was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. This verdict highlights the court's finding that while Sunderland assisted in the logistics—specifically purchasing the fuel—the primary murderous intent and the physical act of igniting the petrol-soaked home lay solely with Ali.
Behind the Revenge Plot
The court heard evidence of a meticulously planned act of vengeance fueled by jealousy and substance abuse. Ali targeted the Westbury Road property where Antonia was seeking refuge with her sister, Bryonie. The investigation revealed that Ali and Sunderland purchased a seven-liter petrol canister shortly before the attack. Despite Ali’s defense claiming he only intended to self-harm, the jury found he purposefully trapped the family upstairs by igniting the blaze at the only exit, ensuring a "catastrophic" outcome.
The Missing Defendant and Unseen Evidence
One critical piece of information often overlooked is the fate of the third original suspect, Mohammed Shabir. Shabir, who was accused of driving the pair to the scene, died of a heart attack while on remand at HMP Leeds in September 2024. His death meant he never faced the jury, leaving Ali and Sunderland to answer for the full weight of the crime. Additionally, Ring doorbell footage played during the trial—which has not been widely released to the public—was instrumental in proving Sunderland’s presence at the scene, showing him holding the petrol canister and assisting Ali in breaching the front door.
The Path Forward for a Broken Community
As the judge, Mr. Justice Hilliard, prepares to hand down life sentences, the focus shifts to the surviving family. Antonia Gawith, who narrowly escaped the flames after Ali doused her in petrol, has been lauded for her immense courage during the trial. Moving forward, West Yorkshire Police and local authorities are expected to use the findings of this case to review domestic abuse intervention protocols, given the abusive history between Ali and his former partner that preceded the fatal arson.
Today’s sentencing brings a somber end to a case that has gripped the nation. The determination of life terms for Sharaz Ali and the custodial sentence for Calum Sunderland marks the closure of the criminal trial, though the emotional recovery for the Bradford community remains a long road ahead.
