Beche-de-mer argument leads to father burning his son’s house

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulagi Police Station have arrested a 69-year-old male suspect for burning his son’s dwelling house at Longapolo village in small Ngella over the weekend in relation to row over beche-de-mer.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Superintendent David Soakai says it will be alleged in court that about 3pm in the afternoon on Saturday 13 November, the suspect went to the victim’s dwelling house with a container of petrol then poured it into the house– and shortly after that he struck a handle match and set the house on fire.

PPC Soakai says the incident happened after an argument between the suspect and his son over beche-de-mer.

According to Soakai, both top parts of the dwelling house including its roof were fully burnt down and nothing was left inside. Beddings, clothing and other properties were also razed. The victim and his family were only left with the clothes they wore at that time.

Soakai said police are looking at the possibility of laying arson charges against the father in contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code and remand him while investigation continues into this incident.

“It is really a sad incident and I call on my good people in Central Province to avoid such incidents happening in our communities. Community leaders, chiefs and church leaders are there to assist in dealing with problems in our communities. Seek them for help to avoid problems,” Soakai said in his statement tonight.

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