Two teenagers charged with the manslaughter of Harold Wood pensioner Josephine Smith are to go before the Old Bailey next month.

Kai Cooper, 18, of Cleve Road in Leatherhead and a 15-year-old boy from Southend were charged after the 88-year-old died in a house fire on October 28 last year.

Josephine - dubbed a 'fantastic' mum and gran by family - was pronounced dead at an address in Queens Park Road.

Three teenagers were initially arrested on October 31; the two charged were re-arrested on January 7 on suspicion of manslaughter and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

Both teenagers appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday - January 8 - and next will appear before the Old Bailey on February 7.

Cooper has been remanded in custody, while the 15-year-old boy has been bailed.

Both were also charged with assault by beating in relation to a separate offence on October 27 in High Road, Ilford.