ALLEGED ARSON.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19643, 12 June 1929, Page 5

ALLEGED ARSON.

WOOLSTON HOUSE CHARRED. "A JOKE ON HIS AUNTS." Harold Petheran, aged 27 (Mr M. J. Burns), was charged before Mr E. C. Lewey, S.iL, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with wilfully setting fire to a building at 12 Station road, Woolston, thereby committing the crime of arson. Evidence was given by the police that the house was occupied by two sisters, the Misses Currie. Miss Margaret Currie gave evidence that on May 30th last she was working in. the garden in the front of the house, when she noticed that a patch on the front of the house was charred up to the windows. There were several pieces of charred wood underneath the house, and a strong smell of kerosene. The wood and brick were also stained with kerosene. On May 2Sth and 29th both she and her sister were absent from home during the evening. The accused, she said, was her nephew. He and his wife lived in. the house until March 27th, but she was not living there at that time. Miss Susan Currie, the sister of the last witness, gave evidence on the same lines. Her sister, sb said, had informed the police, who had taken possession of the burnt wood and a piece of cotton waste. The flooring inside the room opposite where the charring took place was blackened. She knew of no possible motive for the attempt. The accused and his wife lived in the house till last March, when sho asked them to leave. Things were not as they should be, and she had to have a lawyer's letter sent to him. She had not seen him to speak to since then. Frederick Wm. Anderson, a director of Andersons, Ltd., Lichfield, street, Chmtchurch, said his firm were the owners of the house at 12 Station road, Woolston. The skirting board on the outside of the house was charred and the house had been within an ace of catching fire. The timbers were not badly damaged, and would only have to be repainted. He valued the house at about £3OO. It was insured along with a second house for about £SOO. Acting-Detective Halcrow read a statement of the accused, in which he said he had done the thing for a joke to frighten his aunts. Detective Thomas said that in consequence of a complaint received he visited the house occupied by the Misses Currie. There was no evidence of, an attempt to put out the fire. He had gone to Princes street, Woolston, with Acting-Detective Halcrow, where they saw the accused. He accompanied them to the police station, where he made a statement. The prisoner pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.