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A Tauranga man has admitted encouraging his partner's 12-year-old son to light a "small" early morning fire at a Greerton play centre.
But when the blaze got out of control they ran off home, making no attempt to call the fire brigade.
The fire caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.
In Tauranga District Court today, 34-year-old mill worker Jeffrey Douglas Moore was convicted of arson and of neglecting his legal duty to provide the necessaries of life, so putting the child in danger.
Judge Paul Geoghegan convicted Moore and remanded him on bail until March 26 for sentencing.
Prosecutor Barry Woon said the defendant was drinking at home with his partner and her son on the evening of December 13.
Mr Woon said Moore and the boy went for a walk in the early hours of the following morning. The defendant, who continued drinking along the way, knew the 12-year-old had a cigarette lighter.
On the way back they were caught on security camera about 5.30am walking through Greenpark Primary School near their Greerton home in south Tauranga.
The court heard that Moore watched as the boy climbed a metal fence into the grounds of Greenpark play centre next to the school and set alight a thick plastic curtain surrounding the verandah.
Making no attempt to put out the fire, the pair ran home and had something to eat.
About 10 or 15 minutes later, Moore noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the play centre but did not call 111.
By the time fire appliances arrived, an extensive area of the veranda and roof had been damaged, Mr Woon said.
Moore told police he knew the 12-year-old had wanted to cause damage to property by either throwing stones, tagging or lighting fires.
He was going to allow the child to light "small fires" and offered encouragement when the boy walked off toward the play centre.
The defendant admitted he would have alerted the youngster had anyone arrived near the scene.
- NZPA
