Pyromania claim ‘unjustified’

Press, 21 October 1980, Page 4

Pyromania claim ‘unjustified’

PA Auckland A police comment that a volunteer fireman who set bush alight by firing a flaming arrow into it was “bordering on pyromania” was unjustified, according to an Auckland District Court Judge. Before Judge Hall was Michael Philip Sowerby. aged 30, a security officer, of Mount Eden, who earlier had admitted setting fire to a bush area at Laingholm, . belonging to the Auckland City Council, on March 27. Sowerby was fined $350, ordered to pay $240 restitution to the Titirangi fire station, and placed on 18 months probation on the condition that he undergo any psychiatric or psychological treatment or

counselling as directed by a probation officer. The Court had previously heard from a police summary that it was apparent from Sowerhy’s home that “he is bordering on pyromania.” The living-room walls were covered with posters and pictures depicting burntout homes, and fire-bri-

gade paraphernalia. Sowerby had told the ■ police that he took a bow and arrow, wrapped paper round the head of the arrow, set a match to it, and fired it into dry bracken. The flames quickly spread and ignited the bush and trees. The Judge said that the police conclusion was unjustified. He said that Sowerbv had a long obsession with fire fighting, and warned

that if there was anything in the information before him that Sowerby’s obsession had become morbid he would send him to jail. Sowerbv’s counsel. Mr D. N. Evans, said that Sowerby was a member of the volunteer fire service. His hobbies included the recording of fire-fighting history, and the collection of fire objects. The offence was out of character with Sowerby’s desire to assist the community as a voluntary fire-fighting officer. Counsel said Sowerby had told him that he was depressed at rhe time, because he had been declined a position -with the Fire Service. “His whole interest is in the prevention of fires and not the lighting of them,” said Mr Evans.