BY ROMINAH FAKA
A man has been found guilty of burning a dwelling house in the Foxwood area, east of Honiara.
Court convicted Jade Kekea for setting fire to his grandfather’s house at Betinivua Settlement, Foxwood, Guadalcanal, yesterday in magistrate court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge of arson and a trial was conducted before Iomea.
Prosecution called three police constable officers and the daughter of the complainant as the witnesses. Crown also tended exhibits of the complainant and others.
After prosecution closed the crown case Kekea through his lawyer opted to remain silent.
Yesterday DCM Iomea delivered the court judgement stating that court satisfied with the evidence produced in court and the burden of proof or the standard of proof prosecution proof it beyond reasonable doubt.
Court suspended the matter for July 26 for sentencing submission by counsels. Court also extended Kekea’s bail.
The agreed facts court heard is Kekea is the grandson of the complainant.
Kekea’s parents got separated and the complainant and his wife took Jade and looked after him when he was about two years old.
Prior to December 26, 2021 there was three houses at the Betinivua Settlement.
On December 26 2021, Kekea willfully set fire to a house at Betinivua settlement, Foxwood. The house was built by the complainant in 1989 purposely as a canteen.
The house was a semi-permanent house and was completely burned to the ground by Kekea.
The house was occupied by the children of the complainant’s daughter. Two of her children would sleep in the house almost every night in the years prior to the burning. Their mother lives in town and would visit them sometimes.
Kekea did not live at the house that was burnt. He lived with the complainant and his wife at a different house.
Kekea was interviewed by Henderson police on May 17, 2022 and said he had his reasons why he did it.
Fransica Luza act for crown and Emy Rusi act for Kekea.
