Man jailed for setting fire to shed

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 4

Man jailed for setting fire to shed

PA Auckland An Auckland man has been jailed for three years for setting fire to a minister’s garden shed. Peter John Welsh, aged 29, unemployed, was befriended by the minister until he converted his car, Mr Justice Wylie said in the High court at Auckland. When the minister ended the friendship, Welsh deliberately set fire to a garden shed he had helped build.

His Honour called it a cruel and heartless thing to do to a man who had gone out of his way to help Welsh.

Welsh had admitted the arson, two charges of burglary and an assault charge. He was also jailed for 18 months for each of the break-ins and for two months for the assault on a passer-by. The jail terms are to run concurrently.

His Honour noted that the burglaries dated back to 1984 and 1985. In one, $65 was taken, but about $2OOO of goods were stolen in the other.

Counsel, Mr Isaac Koya, told his Honour a psychiatric report had assessed the prisoner and found him schizophrenic. Alcohol complicated his condition. He was unable to remember later why he had committed the criminal offences. j.