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An arson conviction was quashed where the charge omitted essential elements and the guilty plea was equivocal.
Criminal procedure — Plea-taking — Charge must allege essential ingredients — 'Wilfully and unlawfully' required in arson charge — Equivocal plea not cured by admission of facts — Magistrate's duty to ensure accused admits each ingredient — Defective charge renders conviction unsafe; retrial not ordered.
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