Delay in sentencing for Cobb & Co arsonist
A man spotted fleeing a burning restaurant after causing the fire has a family background relating to arson, a court heard.
Police and firefighters were called to New Plymouth’s Cobb & Co Restaurant just before 11.30pm on June 11 after the building was broken into and a fire was lit inside.
The fire didn’t damage the kitchen or restaurant, but it remained closed for a number of days.
A 29-year-old man pleaded guilty to the crime at an earlier court appearance.
The defendant, who has been granted interim name suppression, also pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary and one of using a bank card for pecuniary advantage.
Yesterday, he reappeared for sentencing but defence lawyer Megan Boyd asked the matter be adjourned for the purpose of a psychological assessment of the defendant.
She ordered a report under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 to determine an appropriate sentence for her client.
‘‘There’s a family background relating also to arson,’’ Boyd said.
‘‘I think if a psychological report was prepared it would assist the court in understanding why [the defendant] has offended.’’
Judge Chris Sygrove remanded the defendant into custody to reappear on November 20 for sentencing.
The matter was referred for a restorative justice conference.