Woman denies fleeing country after murder

A WOMAN today denied murdering a teenager by torching a house - more than ten years ago - then fleeing the country.

Shafquat Saleem, 38, of Drum Brae Drive, Edinburgh, pleaded not guilty to allegations of wilful fireraising, murder and attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Prosecutors claim that she knew 18-year-old Imran Saleem and others were in the house in Barn Park, in the Wester Hailes area of the city when - along with others - she poured petrol or something similar through the letterbox and set it alight.

Imran Saleem is said to have died from inhaling smoke and soot.

Other charges allege that Shafquat Saleem changed her appearance then travelled to Heathrow Airport where she flew out of the UK.

She made a brief appearance at the High Court in Edinburgh today where lawyers asked for more time to prepare for trial after formally entering not guilty pleas.

Shafquat Saleem is due back in court in May.