Woman burns lover’s house

A Hanover woman has been sentenced to a three-year suspended sentence for setting the house of her former boyfriend on fire in 2021.

The sentence was imposed on Aneisha Bucknor, a domestic worker of a Claremont address, in the Hanover Circuit Court by Justice Courtney Daye on Monday.

Bucknor, who pleaded guilty to the charge of arson, received a sentence of three years' imprisonment, suspended for three years. She was freed of an additional charge of larceny from the dwelling after the prosecution offered no evidence in relation to that matter.

"Intentionally burning down someone's house is serious and carries a prison sentence. You won't go to prison now, unless you commit an offence such as this, or any other offence that carries a prison term, so a lot will depend on your conduct," Daye told Bucknor sternly before handing down the suspended sentence and dismissing her matter.

The court previously heard that on July 5, 2021, the complainant locked his house and went to work. A few hours later, he got a call that his dwelling was on fire. Subsequent investigations by the Jamaica Fire Brigade found that the blaze had been deliberately set.

Bucknor was arrested and charged with arson on July 9, 2021.

During Monday's court proceedings, Justice Daye was told that Bucknor's actions stemmed from jealousy due to reports that the complainant was involved with another woman.

The court was also told that Bucknor had no previous convictions, that she was remorseful for her actions, and that she has two children who are depending on her for support. It was also indicated that she was willing to pay the complainant $200,000 in compensation.

- C.T.