Man accused of setting fire to mother-in-law’s house twice; remanded on arson charge

Published by [email protected] at June 17, 2025

Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2025. 11:40 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 21-year-old Belize City man accused of torching his mother-in-law’s house on two separate occasions has been charged with arson and remanded to prison after failing to meet bail.

Sir Hugh Anthony Andrewin, a construction worker of Bay Street in the Buttonwood Bay area, appeared unrepresented before the Senior Magistrate in Court #3 on Monday, where he was formally arraigned for arson in connection with a fire that damaged property at #7A Flamboyant Street.

The charge stems from an incident on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in which Andrewin allegedly set fire to a grey sofa valued at $400, the property of a 47-year-old woman. According to police, the woman reported that Andrewin, her ex-son-in-law, arrived at her home around 10:00 p.m., pulled out a lighter, and deliberately set a sheet on fire, which then ignited the sofa. He reportedly fled the scene.

The situation escalated the following morning. At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, she was awakened by smoke and discovered her red curtains and green love seat sofa—valued at $750—ablaze. Damage was also sustained to a double aluminum louver window, valued at $495. The woman and her daughters managed to extinguish the flames before the fire caused further destruction.

In court, the Magistrate explained to Andrewin that no plea would be taken at this time, as the prosecution awaits directives from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether the matter will proceed summarily or on indictment.

Bail was offered in the sum of $1,500 plus one surety of the same amount, with several conditions: Andrewin must not contact the virtual complainant or her family by any means, must stay at least 100 yards away from her, and must not reside at the Flamboyant Street address.

Andrewin, who claimed he had already moved back to his Buttonwood Bay residence, was unable to meet bail and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. His next court date is scheduled for August 11, 2025.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.