Westmoreland shopkeeper charged with arson

A 59-year-old Grange Hill, Westmoreland shopkeeper has been charged for setting the house of a couple on fire.

Venola Forrest, otherwise called 'Sister', of Alma district, is scheduled to go to court on Tuesday, February 13.

The incident happened along Cottage Road on Tuesday, January 23.

Reports from the Savanna-la-Mar police are that about 10 p.m., a man and a woman were at home when two vehicles drove up and stopped.

A group of men exited the vehicles and started throwing stones at them, according to the police.

They say in a bid to escape injury the couple ran into their house.

The attackers left and later returned with Forrest in their company, the police said.

They reportedly entered the couple's house where they smashed windows, destroyed several pieces of furniture, and then set the house on fire resulting in damage amounting to $12,000,000.

After the attack, they escaped into the awaiting vehicles.

A report was later made to the police and Forrest was taken into custody later the same day.

She was later charged with arson after she was pointed out on an identification parade.

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