Malicious Damage Act, 1861

Setting fire to a house, outhouse, manufactory, farm building, &c.

3. Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any house, stable, coach-house, outhouse, warehouse, office, shop, mill, malthouse, hop-oast, barn, storehouse, granary, hovel, shed, or fold, or to any farm building, or to any building or erection used in farming land, or in carrying on any trade or manufacture, or any branch thereof, whether the same shall then be in the possession of the offender or in the possession of any other person, with intent thereby to injure or defraud any person, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be kept in penal servitude for life . . . , or to be imprisoned . . and, if a male under the age of sixteen years, with or without whipping.