FOUND GUILTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1910, Page 7

FOUND GUILTY.

A RECENT EXPLOSION IN MELBOURNE. Bj Telegraph. — Progs Association.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, 20th May. Shaw was found guilty of setting fire to Crabtree's shop, in. Brunswick-street. Sentence was deferred. A mysterious explosion, resulting in the destruction of four shops, took place at Brunswick-etreet, one of the leading thoroughfares of Fitzroy. a suburb of Melbourne, on 19th March last. Eleven persons were residing in the wrecked premises at the time of the occurrence. A man named Crabtree, a grocer, was seriously injured. Ho was discovered buried 'in the debris. A Mrs. Sneddon and her daughter were severely hurt Subsequently Shaw (who was Crablree's assistant) made a confession to the police, alleging that Crabtree had effected an insurance on his stock, and removed about £400 worth Shavings were carted to the place in large quantity, and he and Crabtree saturated these with methylated spirits and benzine. It was arranged that when the place was well alight, Shaw should jump from the verandah and give the alarm, but the scheme miscarried ; and when Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed. Shaw knew no more. Crabtiee was confronted with Shaw's confession. He denied the story, and stated that he found the tap of the gas stove turned on. When he lit a match an explosion followed. Crabtree's leg was broken and badly burned, and he succumbed to his injuries.