Supervision for part in school hall fire

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 12

Supervision for part in school hall fire

A youth was released on supervision for 18 months yesterday for his part in a fire which badly damaged the Shirley Intermediate School hall in July last year. Mr Justice Holland said he was disturbed by delays in the case. “It seems to me appalling that a 15-year-old should wait 13 months from the time of the offence to come before the court for sentencing.”

He asked Mr Mark Zarifeh, for the Crown, to make inquiries of the High Court and District Court registrars, and the police, for an explanation of the delays. His Honour suppressed the name of the youth because of his age.

The defendant, represented by Mr Stan Barker, had earlier pleaded guilty to breaking into the hall and a further charge of setting alight canvas knowing that the hall was likely to be damaged as a consequence. Mr Barker told the High Court that the youth was aged 14>/ 2 at the time of the fire.

He asked that his client receive 18 months supervision — the same sentence as that given to the co-offender.

Mr Justice Holland said he had considerable doubts about whther the burglary charge had properly been brought before him from the Children and Young Persons Court. The youth, already convicted of the charge in the lower jurisdiction, was discharged. His Honour said he had read the probation report and the youth clearly needed help.

He said of the blaze:

“You caused an appalling amount of damage. Arson is becoming prevalent and is being committed by people in all sorts of circumstances who then come seeking sympathy from the court.

“The cost of your behaviour is borne either by the taxpayers or, as some people say, by the insurance companies. But it is not the insurance companies; it is the ordinary good people who pay the premiums."

His Honour said the courts will not deal lightly with arson. However, the defendant was young and it was hoped he would not offend again. “I agree that this was not a planned expedition to burn down a building. It occurred when you were unlawfully on the premises. “In all circumstances I am satisfied that you should be dealt with exactly the same way as your co-offender.”