AN ARSON attack which killed two children was motivated by a turf war between rival drug dealers, a barrister said.

The claim was made yesterday by an advocate representing Fiaz Munshi, who is on trial facing two counts of murder at Oxford Crown Court.

It is alleged the 38-year-old was involved in an arson plot at a house in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, which caused the deaths of eight-year-old Anum Khan and her brother Majid, 15, in the early hours of August 26, 1997. Munshi denies murder.

Yesterday Sunder Khutan, who travelled with Munshi to Oxford on the night of the fire and claims it was started on her instructions, continued giving evidence.

Cross-examining him, Stephen Kamlish, defending, said that was “a complete lie”.

Mr Kamlish added: “You know that the reason for this fire was about a drugs turf war.”

The witness replied: “Is that the best porky story your client could come up with?”

The trial continues.

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