Sleep deprivation may be factor in arson
A judge has called for a report on the effects of sleep deprivation on a man who burnt down his father’s Lyttelton house “to rid the property of evil energy”.
The report will delay the sentencing of Bradley Gordon Schenkel until October 6.
The delay will also allow Schenkel the chance to meet his father at a restorative justice conference where he could apologise for the May 30 fire that destroyed a two-storey house on the corner of Harmans Road and Bridle Path Road.
The fire sent flames shooting 12m into the air.
The Crown says the insurance company is still to decide a final figure for the damage caused.
Judge Raoul Neave called for a psychiatric report to cover links between psychiatric issues and drug and alcohol issues in Schenkel’s case, as well as a report on the possible effects of sleep deprivation.
He said he had known other cases where lack of sleep had caused people to make bizarre decisions because of its effects on their physiology and mental capacity.
“We know that sleep deprivation has a significant effect,” said the judge. “That’s why they use it for torture.”
Schenkel had a psychological assessment done during his remand in custody after his arrest for the fire, and before he pleaded. It indicated a “borderline mental health issue”.
Schenkel pleaded guilty to the arson charge in June. Police said he went to his father’s house sometime on the morning of the fire. He checked no-one was home before he went inside and tried to sleep.
Schenkel said he woke up feeling angry. He found two containers of petrol in a shed, and poured the petrol on the kitchen bench and wall, and on a book shelf in the living area, before turning on the LPG on the gas hobs in the kitchen and tossing a match into the petrol.
He had to run from the house to escape the huge flash that followed. He waited for a bus a few hundred metres away and watched the fire.
Schenkel told police he set fire to the house to rid the property of “evil energy”.
Defence counsel Steve Hembrow, who suggested the delay for the restorative justice meeting to take place, said the victim, Leslie Schenkel had phoned him very distressed at his office.
He said Mr Schenkel wanted him to tell his son – who is in custody – that he had permission to telephone him. However, the father did not feel ready to meet him yet unless it was at a formal meeting such as restorative justice.
A report on Schenkel’s suitability for home detention has been prepared. If it is granted, it is likely he will serve the sentence at an address in Motueka.
Category: Focus
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