Five teens bailed over death of elderly couple

Stephen Stafford
BBC News, South of England
Family photo Stan and Roma Rickman are side-by-side and smiling at the camera. Mr Rickman, who is bald with light grey hair, wears a half-unzipped blue sports coat and a checked shirt. His wife has short, white hair and wears a green fleece over a black buttoned top.Family photo
Stan and Roma Rickman died as a result of the fire at their home, police said

Five teenage boys arrested following the deaths of an elderly couple in a house fire have been released on bail.

Stan Rickman, 91, and his wife Roma, 88, were found dead at their home in Heron Close, Alton, Hampshire, in the early hours of 14 April.

Hampshire police said on Tuesday that four 15-year-old boys from Alton were arrested on suspicion of murder. A fifth boy, who is also 15 and had previously been arrested and bailed, was re-arrested on the same charge.

All five have been conditionally bailed until 15 October while investigations continue.

A police officer and police van outside a house with a dormer roof which is taped off.
Police and firefighters were sent to Heron Close, Alton, at about 04:00 BST on 14 April

A 32-year-old man from Aldershot and a 16-year-old boy from Alton previously arrested on suspicion of murder remain on bail.

A 15-year-old boy from Bordon previously arrested on suspicion of murder was released without further action.

Police renewed an appeal for information from anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour, or has CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, in the area of Heron Close between 00:00 and 05:00 BST on 14 April.

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