Wife May Burn Husband's Property

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6866, 24 May 1932, Page 7

Wife May Burn Husband's Property

NOVEL PLEA IN ARSON CHARGE, Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 23. When -*iiia Field, 25, a Maori woman, appeared in the Supreme Court for sentence, having pleaded guilty lo burning down her husband’s house at Ilokianga on April 9th, her counsel submitted that the rule in common law that husband and wife are one applied in her case, and therefore no offence had been committed. He said that, under the Crimes Act there was no offence of arson if the person charged had a full interest in the property unless there was intent to defraud. Counsel said prisoner had for many years lived far from civilisation. Her marriage was unhappy and following a dispute with her husband, he thrashed her. She considered suicide but while her husband was away she set fire to the house. They had patched up their differences and were now living together again. The Assistant Crown Prosecutor admilled a doubt about whether an offence was committed, but denied the right of prisoner to alter her plea of guilty. Mr Justice Smith sentenced accused to imprisonment till the rising of the Court.