Man charged after home burns down at Monto, Central Qld

A man has faced court after his Central Queensland home burned down last month and one of his dogs perished in the fire.

Matthew David Eglinton faced Biloela Magistrates Court on September 20.

A man has faced court on an obstruct police charge after his home burned down and his pet dog perished in Central Queensland in August.

Matthew David Eglinton, 43, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on September 20 to obstructing police.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said on August 13, Eglinton’s residence at Monto burned down and police were investigating the incident as a possible arson.

Eglinton was not charged with arson, nor was he suspected of being involved.

Ms Leach said while police were at the residence about 7.30pm, Eglinton and two other men attended - all “heavily intoxicated and emotional, trying to enter the crime scene”.

“Police stopped the males entering the crime scene but (they) screamed and swore at police,” Ms Leach said.

Matthew David Eglinton.

The prosecutor said one of the other men struck the rear of a police vehicle and he was arrested.

“(Eglinton) tried to involve himself in this arrest and was stopped by police.”

Ms Leach said Eglinton pushed a police officer in the chest and he was arrested.

The court heard that Eglinton had obstruct police offending on his criminal history.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Eglinton was “very emotional” on the day of the incident as one of his two pet dogs had perished in the fire.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale fined Eglinton $250 and a conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Man charged after home burns down at Monto, Central Qld