Man faces trial over series of arsons

A man is to stand trial accused of a series of arsons in Whangarei.

The 19-year-old, from the town, has interim name suppression and pleaded not guilty to al charges of arson in the Whangarei District Court during a depositions hearing yesterday.

He has been charged with four counts of intentionally damaging native bush by fire at the Whangarei Quarry Gardens from November 19, 2005, to February 16 this year.

He has also been charged with two counts of intentionally damaging native bush by fire, knowing that danger to life was likely to ensue.

Those charges relate to fires at Port Rd and on Mt Parihaka. The six fires wiped out hectares of native bush while residents close to the Mt Parihaka fire were evacuated from their homes.

The accused man's lawyer, David Grindle, conceded his client had a prima facie case to answer at the conclusion of the depositions hearing.

The accused man was remanded on bail until later this month, when he will re-appear for a trial callover.

All details of the evidence given by two police officers during yesterday's depositions hearing were suppressed by the two presiding JPs.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)