Alleged Valentine's Day arsonist gets bail

A man who attempted to burn down the house of his child's mother, while she and her new lover were inside the house on Valentine's Day, was offered $80,000 bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last Friday.

Andrew Fletcher, 22, a resident of Patrick Street in Old Harbour, St Catherine, was granted bail by Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey. He is charged with arson, attempted murder and malicious destruction of property.

The police reported that on Valentine's Day this year, Fletcher visited the home of his ex-lover in Havendale, St Andrew.

On his arrival he saw the complainant's lover, who is also the father of one of her children.

Fletcher became enraged and went to his car for a bottle of gasoline, which he used to douse the complainant's house before setting it ablaze.

However, the fire, which damaged only a door, was put out by the other man whose swift action prevented further damage.

The matter was reported to the police and Fletcher was later arrested and charged.

He is to return to court for trial on April 12.