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Home / New Zealand

Gran charged with murder by arson

Anna Leask
By Anna Leask
Senior Journalist - crime and justice·NZ Herald·
23 Aug, 2013 05:30 PM2 mins to read

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Court documents reveal that on three occasions, she allegedly used fire to intentionally damage telecommunications equipment belonging to her employer. Photo / File

Court documents reveal that on three occasions, she allegedly used fire to intentionally damage telecommunications equipment belonging to her employer. Photo / File

An Auckland grandmother has been charged with murder by arson, stealing $12,500 from her employer and damaging their products by fire on three occasions.

The 47-year-old allegedly set fire to a Manurewa house on February 27 last year. Peter Lance Dixon, 77, was in the house at the time and died.

After a lengthy police investigation the woman was charged with murder and arson.

She is also facing four additional arson and three theft charges relating to alleged offending against her employer between November 2011 and January 2012.

Court documents reveal that on three occasions she allegedly used fire to intentionally damage telecommunications equipment belonging to her employer.

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They also show that she is accused of stealing four amounts from the same employer totalling $12,500.

Suppression orders prevent the Weekend Herald from naming the woman, the company she allegedly stole from and her connection to Mr Dixon.

It can be reported that she was known to the dead man.

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The woman appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday wearing a police-issued custody gown.

Members of her family were led into the public gallery by defence lawyer Peter Winter.

Mr Winter told the court he had been in discussions with the prosecutor prior to the 47-year-old's appearance and it was agreed between them that she should be granted interim name suppression.

Judge Merelina Burnett was reluctant to grant the order and noted that Mr Winter had not made a formal application for name suppression.

But with no opposition from the police, she allowed it.

Mr Winter also sought bail on all charges, which Judge Burnett granted.

The woman will reappear in the High Court at Auckland at 9am on September 11.

Emergency services were called to a fire at Mr Dixon's home on Lomas Place about 5am on February 27, 2012.

They found him dead in his bedroom, where it is believed the fire started.

It is understood the house had smoke detectors, which alerted other members of Mr Dixon's family living at the house and allowed them to escape.

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It was initially thought the blaze was accidental but Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said the charges against the woman came after a "lengthy and complex" police inquiry.

In a death notice published in the Herald, Mr Dixon, know as Mita, was described as a much-loved father and father-in-law and cherished poppa.

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