Namosi woman faces arson charge

A 29-year-old woman who is alleged to have set fire to a house in Namosi on January 30, 2018 was presented yesterday in the High Court in Suva.

Ana Maria Radiniunilele, charged with arson, appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar. She was represented by Legal Aid Commission lawyer, Lice Manulevu. State lawyer Eoghan Samisoni appeared for the Prosecution. Mr Samisoni told Justice Goundar that there were admissions in Radiniunilele's caution interview that she used matches to set fire to the house, which was vacant at the time of the alleged offence. Mr Samisoni said Radiniunilele allegedly committed the offence after a family row and that the entire structure of the house was damaged.

He confirmed that he had the Police docket and sought 21 days to file and serve information and disclosures.

Defence lawyer Ms Manulevu said her client was mentally stable, however she was still in shock.

She said Radiniunilele had indicated that her family was not aware that she had been charged with the offence.

Justice Goundar expressed concern as to the reasons why Radiniunilele's family were not aware of her current predicament. Ms Manulevu said she would try to contact her client's family adding that she would be filing a formal bail application for her. Justice Goundar remanded Radiniunilele in custody and adjourned the case to March 6, 2018 for information and disclosures. No plea has been made yet. then adjourned the case to March 12, 2018 for a pre-trial conference.

Both accused persons are on bail.