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Jail term for costly Westfield arson attack
A Westport man has been jailed for three years nine months for an arson attack on a Christchurch?shopping mall which caused an estimated $1.7 million in damage.
Robert James Shingleton, 29, set two fires next to Westfield Mall, Riccarton, after a night spent drinking in a nearby pub in the early hours of July 10, 2009.
Shingleton lit pieces of cardboard packed into a wheelie bin parked next to the mall then moved around the building setting fire to a skip near a different entrance. He stayed for about 10 minutes watching the blaze before alerting a police officer, giving his name and details.
He then went to Hagley Park where he lit the contents of a bin and set fire to padding at the base of rugby goalposts. He was also charged with starting a rubbish bin fire in Westport four months alter
His actions caused $235,000 damage to the mall and an estimated $1.5 million smoke and water damage to the building and stock inside Farmer?s.
Defence counsel Pat Butler suggested Shingleton did not intentionally target the building but set fire to detached objects around which people were not present.
Judge Crosbie refuted this claim stating the proximity of the bins to the building and the fact he re-ignited them meant he should have been aware of possible consequences. He added that the fire ?had a profound effect and a large number of people?, from the night staff inside the mall when the fire was set to workers and customers affected by the damage.
Taking into account his early guilty plea and previous unblemished record, Judge Crosbie sentenced Shingleton to concurrent terms of three years and nine months imprisonment.
He said this sentence would provide suitable punishment but also enable Shingleton to receive treatment.
??Today isn?t the end of the road. It?s the beginning of a long and difficult journey?.
Although reparation was sought by the crown, the judge made no order because Shingleton was in no position to repay the large sums involved.
