Teen in court accused of setting mate alight

Matt-Dillion Shannon, 17, is charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Photo / Thinkstock

A Hastings teenager accused of setting his friend alight after pouring petrol on him at the teenager's birthday party has appeared in court today.

Matt-Dillion Shannon, 17, entered no plea to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm when he appeared in Hastings District Court, Hawke's Bay Today reported.

During what police have described as a "drunken party'', 16-year-old Hayden Calder was doused with petrol and set alight. He was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital suffering serious burns to his neck, back and ear. He has since been discharged.

The party, on August 12, was to celebrate Shannon's 17th birthday.

The day after the party Shannon told the newspaper he had been sitting in the lounge when Hayden ran through on fire.

"I didn't see it happen, he was in my bedroom and came running into the lounge.''

Hayden cycled to his mother's house nearby, where she called an ambulance.

Shannon was bailed to appear again next month.

- NZPA