Employee jailed for arson
PA Auckland A sheetmetal worker who set fire to his employer’s premises, causing $147,000 worth of damage, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Mr P. J. Duncan, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Otahuhu. Neil Alexander Alfred Levy, aged 32, had earlier admitted wilfully setting fire to Emslie Consolidated Industries at Otahuhu on October 23.
The Magistrate said Levy was virtually a first offender. But whatever he did not do in the past, he had made up for on this occasion. Levy had offended against
his employer after having worked there for only six weeks. He had been allowed to use the employer’s premises and equipment for private purposes. He had risked other people’s property and lives, because several firemen had been admitted to hospital for treatment.
No credible defence could be offered through drunkeness, and a psychiatric report also failed to offer any explanation, the Magistrate said.
Evidence was given that 15 fire engines were called to the blaze, and eight firemen were sent to Middlemore Hospital.
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Press, 20 December 1978, Page 3
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173Employee jailed for arson Press, 20 December 1978, Page 3
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