Arson sentence a strong warning

14/04/05
The sentence imposed on a 17-year-old youth for deliberately lighting fires at Yanchep National Park sent a strong message that arson was a serious criminal offence, Environment Minister Judy Edwards said today.
"The three-year jail term signifies that people who are caught deliberately lighting fires will receive substantial punishment from the court system," Dr Edwards said.
"This particular fire resulted in a Department of Conservation and Land Management employee being severely injured and hospitalised, a CALM ranger's house destroyed and another ranger's house severely damaged.
"It also burnt out 1,600ha of the park causing an estimated bill of more than $2million in damages, rehabilitation and containment costs."
Minister's office: 9220 5050