Dad Ups Reward In Bid To Free Fire Deaths Teen
Dedicated dad John Spence says he will not stop until he finds the person he believes is responsible for the deaths of his two daughters Tatum Leah, 14, and Demi Jade Spence, 12.
Mr Spence's son Shane, 18, was convicted by a crown court jury of starting the fire that ripped through the family home in Lisle Road, Harton, last April.
Mr Spence today stepped up his bid to clear his son's name, and is now offering £50,000 to anyone able to supply police with information leading to the prosecution of who he believes to be "the real killer".
The 38-year-old, who lives with his wife Anita in Tanfield Gardens, Harton, travelled around South Shields in the early hours of this morning putting up the posters on lamp-posts, walls, newsagents and police stations.
Mr Spence, who had previously offered £25,000 for information that could free his son, said: "Obviously, £25,000 isn't enough, so I've raised the stakes because money talks.
"I've been up all night putting the posters everywhere around the town. The place is covered with them. I need as many people to know about the reward as possible.
"I've had friends, family and even people I don't know giving me donations to help find the girls' killer.
"Shane loved his sisters, and he would never have started the fire, so I won't go away until Shane is free. I'll never give up for him.
"It's not just me that thinks he's innocent - it's everyone."
Spence was cleared of the murder of his sisters and the attempted murder of his parents, but was found guilty of the girls' manslaughter after a three-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
As revealed in the Gazette on Saturday, he has now lodged an appeal against his conviction.
He is awaiting sentencing in Castington Prison, near Morpeth, Northumberland.
Mr Spence added: "I hope the appeal will bring out the truth – that Shane didn't do it.
"Hopefully, the money will help catch the person who really did this.
"Shane's sick of being in prison for something he didn't do."
Mrs Spence, also 38, said: "I won't rest until justice is done and the killer has been caught."
May 05, 2008
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