Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing Body of Arsonist Paul Smith

Steven Wales, aged 61, has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to concealing the body of Paul Smith, who died from a drug overdose. Smith's body was discovered in a wheelie bin outside derelict houses in Liverpool, a week after he was involved in a fatal arson attack that resulted in the deaths of two elderly individuals.

Smith, 40, had committed the arson in July 2025, which led to the deaths of Sheila Jackson and Eric Greener. Wales reported Smith's death to the police, claiming he had died in a bath in Everton. A post-mortem examination revealed Smith had consumed a mix of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, prior to his death.

The coroner concluded that the cause of death was mixed drug toxicity, and Merseyside Police stated there was no evidence of foul play. Following Wales' admission, sentencing has been postponed to 18 August, allowing time for victim statements from Smith's family.