Youths in court charged with school arson

One 15-year-old has admitted charges of arson and burglary after Melville High School in Hamilton was badly damaged by fire last month but another 15-year-old has denied the same charges.

The pair appeared in Hamilton Youth Court today where one admitted two charges of arson at the school of July 5. He also admitted a charge of burglary.

Judge Anne McAloon said the teenager would be expected to attend a family group conference before sentencing on September 6, the Waikato Times reported today.

The other 15-year-old denied charges of arson and burglary. He will reappear in court next week, when a depositions date will be set.

Bail conditions for both youths include prohibiting them from going to any school grounds.

The fire destroyed two computer suites at the school and six other rooms were smoke damaged.

- NZPA