Jury still out in arson trial (From Daily Echo)
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Jury still out in arson trial
11:30am Thursday 13th December 2012 in Crime
Jury still out in arson trial
A JURY will today continue to consider its verdict in the case of a couple alleged to have torched a Hampshire pub in an insurance scam.
Jurors were last night granted permission to retire overnight.
The prosecution claims landlord Dean Thomas started the blaze at The Tollhouse Inn in Southampton Road, Lymington, with the knowledge of his wife Melynda because their business was failing.
Southampton Crown Court heard the fire ripped through the pub and the damage cost more than £100,000 to repair.
Dean Thomas, 42, and Melynda Thomas, 36, deny arson when reckless as to whether life might be endangered.
Dean Thomas has also pleaded not guilty to an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Proceeding.
