£68,000 Damage Youth Admits Lighting Two Fires In Nelson

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 3

£68,000 Damage Youth Admits Lighting Two Fires In Nelson

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, December 17. Fires Gordon Frederick Davey, aged 17, lit in Nelson buildings on December 5 and 6 caused more than £68,000 damage, Detective-Ser-geant A. W. Hedwig told Mr G. A. Nicholls, S.M., today.

Davey, formerly of Christchurch, admitted 10 charges—four of arson, four of causing damage to property by fire, one of burglary and another of breaking probation.

On the arson charges the Magistrate sentenced him to three years’ gaol. He was convicted and discharged on the other charges.

Kfr Hedwig said that when Davey was arrested and charged with a breach of probation he later admitted starting two fires. On December 5 he and two other

youths, who have since appeared in the Children's Court, had broken into the Valet Dry Cleaners. “After smashing the glass in a door they entered the premises and looked for money. They took a Fijian penny, a florin, a medallion.

three keys, a bottle-opener, a pen-knife and a radio.” said Mr Hedwig. “With the exception of the radio, all were found in accused's possession.”

Davey had told the police that it was suggested that the building be burned to get rid of fingerprints. They tossed a coin and Davey lost so he went to a service station and bought a gallon of petrol. Helped Firemen At the dry cleaners, Davey poured petrol over the floor and then set it alight. He took the container back to the garage, recovered his deposit, and then returned to the fire to help remove goods from the buildings, and the firemen with their hoses. The damage to the dry cleaners’ premises and contents was estimated at £10,670.

The fire in the cleaners spread to a building owned by Keith Walkers, Ltd., and damage to it and the contents was estimated at £9500. Hillarys (Nelson) Ltd., in the dry cleaners’ building, lost gowns and fittings valued at £5500. Radio 2XN used the floor above Keith Walkers, and the broadcasting equipment and furniture valued at £16,500 were destroyed. The next night Davey used more petrol to set alight to the storeroom of Harley and Company, Ltd. at the rear of its Bridge street premises. The building was destroyed. The loss was estimated at £16,197. Before Harley’s fire could be brought under control a building occupied by the Bassinette and Spicer’s Home Appliance Centre, Ltd., caught alight and the damage to this building, electrical equipment and fittings and clothing amounted to £9BOO. Second For Bet Mr Hedwig said that on December 6 Ewing had been talking to two youths in a coffee bar when another youth joined them. They discussed the fire in the Valet Dry Cleaning and one bet Davey he would not start another

fire. Davey took the bet. That night they took him to get a can and petrol and dropped him back in town.

He went down an alley near the City Council Chambers, but someone was there, so he returned to the car and told the other youths he was going to go to Harleys. He walked to Harleys, climbed a fence, threw petrol over a wall in the storeroom and set fire to it. The tin was later found by the police. Davey met the youths later and was paid the £l.

“He refuses to say who paid it to him,” said Mr Hedwig. Mr A. B. Beatson said Davey’s brother and sister had. records of mental illness. Davey was a romancer. He read a lot and lived in a fantasy world.

“He is completely immoral and does not realise the significance of what he has done,” said Mr Beatson. “He is obviously a liability to society and himself, and if he is not going to be a burden on

the State for life, then he must be given thorough psychiatric treatment,”

“This was a particularly wicked th:-,? you did,” said the Magistrate. “You recklessly set fire to two buildings which could have destroyed a block and caused loss of life. As it was, it caused a vast amount of damage and your conduct is completely inexcusable. “A medical examination in September shows yau are not insane and I am quite certain you knew what you were doing was wrong."

Christopher John Taylor, aged 17. a workman, was convicted of aiding Davey in the commission of arson. He was sentenced to Borstal training.