Arson, car theft earns girl jail

A Rotorua teenager lit a small fire in a vacant QE Health building for some entertainment, the Rotorua District Court has been told.

The building, which was not insured, was destroyed by the fire and will cost $75,000 to replace.

Bernadette Woods, 18, appeared in the Rotorua District Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to arson last October. She had also pleaded guilty to seven charges of unlawfully taking motor vehicles and two of theft and was sentenced by Judge James Weir to two years and two months' jail.

Woods and an associate went to the vacant building after hearing through friends about how to gain access. The building was used by young people for social gatherings.

After getting into the building Woods and the associate decided to set fire to some papers and rubbish. They waited a short time before leaving and about 45 minutes later emergency services were called to a large fire in the building.

Judge Weir said the uninsured building was gutted and would cost $75,000 to replace. Under normal circumstances Woods would be liable to pay half the replacement cost but she could not pay reparation so no order would be made.

Judge Weir said Woods' role in the offending involving unlawfully taking motor vehicles was as a lookout and Woods had described her involvement as a hobby and she did not consider it a crime.

The court was told Woods was raised by her mother but after her mother hit her at the age of 13, she moved to Huntly to live with her father and his girlfriend who began beating her. She lived there for only a short time. While in Huntly she met a young man who is the father of her 3-year-old child who is in the care of Child, Youth and Family.

Judge Weir said Woods had admitted she had a drug problem, using cannabis since she was 13 and had also used methamphetamine.

Woods' associate has appeared in the Rotorua Youth Court and admitted a charge of arson and has been remanded for sentencing on February 21. The youth cannot be named.