TRUCK SET ON FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20956, 20 August 1931, Page 12

TRUCK SET ON FIRE.

ACTION AFTER COLLISION. ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY. [by telegraph.—rKEss association.] CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. A charge against Arthur Launcelot Cyril Watkins of wilfully damaging a motor truck, the property of the Colonial Motor Company, at New Brighton, on April 19, was heard in the Supreme Court to-day. Accused pleaded not guilty. The Crown alleged that accused, accompanied by another man and two women, had a collision at night with another vehicle. The occupants of the truck were not seriously hurt, and after being treated in hospital they returned to the truck. It was stated that evidence would be called to show that accused, after remarking, -"It would be just as well to make a proper job of it," went to the truck and set it alight. Other persons saw the flames and put them out. The damage was £SO. Witnesses for the Crown were then called. The accused gave evidence. He stated that Percival Dennis Mahoney, who had been one of the party in the truck, and was the principal witness for the prosecution, had set fire to the truck. He said Mahoney had first made the suggestion that he should set fire to the truck and had carried out his intention against his (Watkins') wish. _ The jury returned a verdict of guilty and the prisoner was remanded until Friday for sentence.