Charge denied

A 25-year-old Kerikeri man who ignited an incendiary device on the Purerua Peninsula on January 19 has pleaded not guilty to a charge of arson. Counsel Doug Blaikie told the Kaikohe District Court there was no question that Ryan Andrew Moffat had set and ignited the explosives, but the resulting vegetation fire had been totally unexpected. He would seek dismissal of the charge, although he conceded that Moffat could not escape civil liability of up to $25,000.