Friday 21 August 2020

Man Charged Over Alleged Repeated Arson Attacks on Elderly Lady's Wallsend Home

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged after several alleged arson attacks at a Wallsend home earlier this year.


Detectives commenced an investigation in relation to three separate arson incidents at a home on Metcalfe Street, Wallsend, on Wednesday 24 June, Saturday 18 and Thursday 30 July 2020.

During these incidents, a house, carport and vehicle were damaged.

An elderly woman was inside the home at the time of all three incidents, but she was uninjured.

Following a public appeal for information and ongoing inquiries, officers arrested a 37-year-old man on Harriet Street, Waratah, and took him to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with three counts of destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life, two counts of destroy or damage property and one count of common assault.

Police allege the man had an ongoing dispute with a former resident of the property and assaulted him at the home on Sunday 21 June.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court Friday August 21.