A 33-year-old man who tried to kill his sons aged 10 and one year-nine months- old in a house fire in 2020 has been found guilty by the High Court in Suva for the offences charged.

Pranil Alvin Singh appeared before High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar on Wednesday for the judgment of his case.

Singh has been convicted of one count of arson and two counts of attempted murder.

It was proven by the prosecution that Singh on June 5, 2020, at Nasinu, wilfully and unlawfully set fire to the property of Babu Lal, where he was renting with his family.

It was also proven to the court that Singh on June 5, 2020, at Nasinu, attempted to murder his 10-year-old and one-year-nine-months-old sons by wilfully and unlawfully setting fire to the house with the intention to kill them.

While delivering the judgement, Justice Goundar said that the court did not accept Singh’s account that the fire started as an accident and it was not intentional.

The court heard that the two children and Singh were rescued by neighbours after the eldest son managed to escape from Singh and called for help from the neighbours.

Singh has been remanded in custody to awaiting sentencing on June 15.

Feedback:  ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj