Arson: the gutless, hideous crime (7)

I believe the answer is:

treason

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'crime' is the definition.
(treason is a kind of crime)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for treason that I've seen before include "Disloyalty (to one's country)" , "Crime of national betrayal" , "Betrayal of one's nation" , "Crime of disloyalty" , "Betraying one's country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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