Man accused of secretly filming his wife before killing her in arson attack
A man has appeared in court accused of killing his wife in an arson attack after spying on her with secret cameras and posting sexually explicit images of her online.
Denise Michelle Keane-Barnett-Simmons, 36, was found fatally injured in the bedroom of her home in Alric Avenue in Brent, north-west London on April 16.
Neighbours called the fire brigade after a blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning.
Ms Keane-Barnett-Simmons died in hospital later that morning from burns and inhalation of fumes.
On April 29, her estranged husband, Damion Simmons, 44, of no fixed address, was charged with her murder.
He was charged with arson with intent to endanger life in relation to Ms Laigle and criminal damage endangering life.
Mr Simmons was also charged with disclosing private and sexual photographs with intent to cause distress, and voyeurism.
They relate to allegations that before the fire, Simmons had set up covert video cameras in his wife’s home to spy on Ms Keane-Barnett-Simmons and spread a sexual image on social media.
Ms Keane-Barnett-Simmons' friend, Maureen Laigle, in her 60s, who had been staying at the house, managed to escape through a window leading on to a flat roof after the fire started.
She was rescued by firefighters and treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries.
Ms Keane-Barnett-Simmons was the niece of the singer Eddy Grant.
On Monday, Simmons appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from Wormwood Scrubs before Judge Anthony Leonard QC.
He spoke to confirm his identity and gave his nationality as Trinidadian.
The judge set a plea hearing for July 20, when a provisional eight-day trial will be set, and remanded Simmons into custody.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating in relation to previous police contact with the victim a few hours prior to the fire.
