Psychiatric report ordered for repeat arsonist
A psychiatric report has been ordered for a Linwood man who has admitted two more arson charges and now faces sentencing in July for a total of five offences.
Forty-three-year-old Errol Carl Tait pleaded guilty last month to the arson of two unoccupied houses and burglary of a third building.
He was remanded on bail to yesterday to consider entering pleas on the remaining charges.
He has now admitted setting fire to a light van, and attempted arson of a house in Frankleigh Street, Spreydon.
The properties, which were unoccupied, belonged to an insurance company, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, and two individuals. The offences occurred between December and February.
Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish remanded Tait on bail for sentencing on July 1.
At the request of defence counsel Andrew Bailey, she ordered a psychiatric report under the Criminal Procedures (Criminally Impaired Persons) Act on how the case could be disposed of.
Mr Bailey told the court the report would consider Tait’s claim that he was under “tremendous stress” at the time he committed the arsons.
Category: News
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