A series of arsons in tinder-dry conditions at Alexandra, with the fires lit relatively close to houses, contributed to a 24-month prison term imposed on an Alexandra man who appeared for sentencing in the Alexandra District Court yesterday.
Reece Bayden Berland-Skerrett (24) was sentenced on five charges of deliberately lighting fires in vegetation between March 19-27; two charges of burglary and possessing ammunition and railway blasting caps for an unlawful purpose at Alexandra between April 8 and 30; and possessing cannabis seeds at Alexandra on April 30.
He was sentenced to a total of 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a total of $4600 reparation.
Mike Newell, counsel for the defendant, said Berland-Skerrett had already spent more than four months in custody while on remand, which allowed him to reflect on his life.
The fires were lit in vegetation and were not aimed at buildings or other structures or where people would be at risk, "although there was an inherent risk," Mr Newell said.
He submitted home detention would be an appropriate sentence, allowing Berland-Skerrett to make the most of his rehabilitative options and still retain contact with his young son.
It was important to address factors underlying the offending.
The defendant had been receiving treatment for depression, "among other things".
Crown counsel Louise Denton said they were serious charges and a prison sentence was the appropriate penalty, especially as some of the offending happened while he was on bail for other offences, which showed a disregard for court sanctions.
Judge Paul Kellar said Berland-Skerrett deliberately lit fires in the Pines reserve during a particularly dry summer when there was a total fire ban in place.
Some of the fires were lit at the base of pine trees and in undergrowth beneath trees.
"Fortunately for all concerned, the fire brigade was able to extinguish each fire before it spread to properties outside the reserve." There was an element of premeditation and the fires were relatively close to peoples' homes, Judge Kellar said.
The burglaries involved properties at Lauder on March 28 and in Alexandra on April 7, with firearms and ammunition taken.
Mr Newell submitted the defendant had suffered psychological and physical abuse and had shown signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Berland-Skerrett was on bail under supervision when he committed some of the offences, Judge Kellar said, and he had to take into consideration the gravity of the offences.
