A murder trial was temporarily halted this week after a witness, Darren Gee, alleged in online videos that convicted double killer Kevin Weetman previously attempted to set his apartment on fire. The claim emerged during Gee’s testimony at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, January 31st, relating to the manslaughter of elderly couple Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, in St Helens.
Gee, appearing before Justice Jay, detailed a prior incident involving Weetman, a 34-year-old drug dealer, claiming Weetman and an unidentified accomplice attempted arson. “Guess who set my apartment on fire in Anfield? Weetman and the [inaudible]. Same kid,” Gee stated in a TikTok video posted on January 28th, according to court transcripts. He further alleged that police had sufficient evidence at the time to arrest Weetman, but a statement from Gee was never obtained.
The trial of Weetman, alongside Lee Owens and Kylie Maynard, had already been underway when Gee’s videos, posted under the TikTok account “@calnak.uk”, came to the court’s attention. Gee testified he posted the videos as part of a broader effort to discourage youth from engaging in criminal activity, offering a platform for questions and discussion. He denied owning the “@calnak.uk” account, stating it was operated by supporters who shared his message.
During a heated exchange, Weetman responded to Gee’s accusations, calling him a “bacon” and a “nonce.” Gee, in turn, accused Weetman of attempting to groom him as a child. The courtroom witnessed further outbursts, with Weetman heard remarking, “begging us for work,” and “wool” as Gee testified.
Justice Jay questioned Gee about the origin of a message received by the court, purportedly from the administrator of the TikTok account, apologizing for the posted videos. Gee claimed to have no knowledge of the sender, stating he only received the message after being notified of its existence. He offered to allow investigators to examine his phone to verify his claims.
Gee as well referenced a previous incident involving Thomas Cashman, convicted of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, stating Cashman was “Weetman’s mate.” He explained that he had been warned by authorities following a similar incident during Cashman’s trial, leading him to refrain from posting about the current case.
Weetman, Maynard, and Owens were ultimately convicted of the manslaughter of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson, who died following a fire at their home on South John Street in July 2025. The court heard that the arson attack was intended for Sheila Jackson’s son, George Jackson, over a dispute related to drug debts. Weetman was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years on Thursday, February 19th, 2026. Maynard received a 23-year sentence, and Owens was jailed for 13 years and six months.
During sentencing, Justice Jay described Weetman as a “violent and dangerous individual” with a “warped moral code,” noting his lack of remorse and inappropriate laughter in court following the verdict. Weetman responded to the sentence by stating, “I’m always laughing.”
Following Gee’s testimony, Justice Jay issued a warning, emphasizing the seriousness of potentially prejudicing the trial through online commentary. He stated he would consider further action if Gee continued to post about the case. Gee assured the judge he would refrain from further comments until Weetman was sentenced.
