Arson suspect free

A man accused of torching nine Christchurch wheelie bins is back on the streets, despite police objections. Michael Edward Brittenden, 39, was granted bail when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court on yesterday. He faces six charges of setting wheelie bins alight. He was remanded without plea to August 3, on six charges of arson involving nine wheelie bins alleged to have been set alight on July 1 and July 8, with reckless disregard for the safety of properties belonging to a series of named householders. He is charged with possession of .22 calibre firearm rounds and cannabis.