Caroline Travers (52) was found guilty on three counts, arson, animal cruelty and attempted murder, by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, today, February 10.

The charges stem from a house fire that occurred on the night of March 11, 2022, at 58 Essenwood Street, Birchleigh, during which Gregory Travers, two dogs and a bird were trapped inside.

Gregory Travers later died from his injuries, while the animals perished in the fire.

The court heard evidence from eight state witnesses, including neighbours, community patrollers, police officers and fire experts. Several witnesses testified that Travers admitted to starting the fire and repeatedly expressed a wish that her husband would die.

Also read: Travers details argument, fire on night of fatal house blaze

Fire expert testimony confirmed that the blaze originated in the lounge and was deliberately started, ruling out accidental or electrical causes.

Travers testified that she started what she described as a “controlled fire” to force her husband to open a locked bedroom door. The court rejected her version, finding it improbable and inconsistent with the evidence.

The magistrate found that Travers intentionally set the house alight and acted with dolus eventualis, foreseeing that her husband could die in the fire and reconciling herself with that outcome.

She was found guilty on all three counts. The matter was postponed to March 25 for sentencing, and her bail was extended.

The full story, including a detailed judgement, will exclusively be published in the Kempton Express’ February 19 edition, both in print and the online editions.