Former Cape Breton firefighter pleads guilty to arson

A former Cape Breton volunteer firefighter has pleaded guilty to 14 counts of arson and will be sentenced in February.

James Clayton MacDonald, 25, of Point Aconi, committed the offences between May and August 2016.

The fires involved nine homes, two vehicles, two buildings (including a barn) along with a tract of forest/debris land owned by the Nova Scotia government.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fires.

MacDonald was facing a total of 27 offences including charges of possession of stolen property. The remaining charges, after the guilty pleas were entered, were dismissed.

He is one of three former volunteers from the Florence fire department charged with arson after a lengthy investigation by Cape Breton Regional Police. The other two accused remain before the court and have preliminary hearings scheduled for later this month.

MacDonald continues his release on conditions that include he not possess any incendiary devices like matches and lighters and is not to operate a vehicle with a designated volunteer firefighter license plate.

The fires occurred in the communities of Little Pond, Bras d’Or, Millville, Point Aconi and Florence.

Sentencing is now scheduled for Feb. 5.