Teen admits destroying Christchurch house

A 17-year-old has admitted causing $150,000 damage with an arson attack on a house in the Christchurch suburban street where he lived.

The attack happened on December 10, 2008, only about half an hour after Daniel Joseph Patrick Leahy had threatened the Hoon Hay householder after a dispute.

Leahy was listed at the time as living in Salmond Street, several houses away from where the arson occurred.

He was originally charged with burglary as well, but police agreed to withdraw that charge before a depositions hearing was due to go ahead today in front of Christchurch District Court Judge Patricia Costigan.

He then pleaded guilty to the arson charge and was remanded in custody to May 15 for a probation report and sentence.

The police say that during the argument, Leahy told the householder he was "going to demolish the place by the end of the week".

The victim went straight to the police and within half an hour Leahy had entered the house and it was set on fire and destroyed. The damage was assessed at $150,000.

Leahy has already been in custody for more than two months, after bail was refused at an appearance in the Christchurch court before Judge Raoul Neave on December 31.

He distinguished himself by standing with his back to the judge during the hearing. His mother and friend who were in court swore at the police and judge and stormed out of court when bail was refused and access to the teenager was blocked by court escort staff.

He was brought upstairs handcuffed for today's court appearance, but remained calm in court as the plea was taken and the remand for sentencing arranged.

- NZPA