Caroline Travers (52), who was found guilty on three counts: Arson, animal cruelty and attempted murder, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Kempton Express reports the matter was postponed to May 18 to allow a social worker additional time to consult with Travers and complete a pre-sentence report. Her bail was extended.

Fatal Birchleigh fire

The charges stem from a house fire that occurred on the night of March 11, 2022, at a residence on Essenwood Street in Birchleigh. During the incident, Caroline’s husband, Gregory, two dogs and a bird were trapped inside the home.

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

Witness testimony

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

During a previous court appearance on February 10, fire expert testimony confirmed that the blaze originated in the lounge and was deliberately started, ruling out accidental or electrical causes.

Court findings

Caroline testified that she had started what she described as a ‘controlled fire’ in an attempt to force her husband to open a locked bedroom door. However, the court rejected her version, finding it improbable and inconsistent with the evidence presented.

In delivering judgment, the magistrate found that Caroline had intentionally set the house alight and acted with dolus eventualis, meaning she foresaw the possibility that her husband could die and reconciled herself with that outcome.

She was found guilty on all three counts.

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