ARSON ALLEGED

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1927, Page 11

ARSON ALLEGED

SEQUEL TO RECENT FIEE

Charges oi breaking ana entering the house of William Henry M'Carthy in Home street, and stealing £8 6s and two tram tickets, were made against John Ashor m the Supreme Court today. Asher was also charged with receiving the tram tickets, knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, with sotting fire to McCarthy's house, and with setting fire to furniture in the house, knowing that the house was likely to catch on fire. Asher, who pleaded not guilty, was not represented by counsel. In a statement from the dock he said Mb solicitor was not appearing for him, and he asked the Court fer legal advice. Mr. Macassey, Crown Prosecutor, said that a week ago counsel informed the prisoner that he would not be appearing. Mr. Justice MacGregor pointed out that if a solicitor was appointed now ho would not be familiar with tho fact 3. If tho prsoner had made his appeal a week ago, no doubt it would have been granted. He assured the prisoner that ho would tako caro that nothing would bo said against him that should not be said. Evidenco was given by Henry William M'Carthy and Eoso M'Carthy as to a firo that occurred in tho bedroom of their house on the evening of loth June, and as to the money and tickets which wero found to be missing. The bedroom was damaged to the extent of about £125. Henry M'Carthy said that there was evidence that every room in the house had been gone through. Thomas Bertram Clark, deputy-super-intendent of the Fire Brigade, said in his opinion the lire was caused either by an electric light lead being left on tho dressing table, or by a match being dropped in a drawer in the room.

Alexander Sharp Campbell, a fireman, deposed to having obtained McCarthy's coat, containing a wallet, from the roof of a loan-to and having handed it to Frederick Ballinger, deputy-captain of the lire police, who gave the wallet to 31' Carthy.

Evidence of having arrested the accused on a tram ear on a charge of being in possession of a stolen tram ticket was given by Constable Adams.

Detective Kano gave 'evidence of a statement in which accused said he bought the tram concession ticket, which ho knew was " crook, "• from a man in an hotel.

Detective-Sergeant Holmes said he did not think it possible for a fire to have been caused by tho electric lead. Tho jury retired at 1 p.m. *~ Asher was found guilty of breaking, entering, and theft, and of "arson, and was remanded for sentence.