A retired Oamaru man found guilty of arson in Duntroon and threatening behaviour towards the town's chief fire officer has been sentenced to 12 months' intensive supervision and 80 hours' community work.
Last month, Cornelius Dirk Pieter Borsboom (66) defended charges of arson, obstructing members of the Fire Service and threatening behaviour, all offences alleged to have occurred in Duntroon on September 11 or 12, 2014.
Judge Tony Couch dismissed the charge of obstructing members of the Fire Service, but found the charges of arson and threatening behaviour towards Duntroon Chief Fire Officer David Eckhardt proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Borsboom appeared for sentencing yesterday before Judge Joanna Maze in the Oamaru District Court.
The arson charge related to a vegetation fire in Livingstone St, Duntroon, on September 11, 2014.
Borsboom lit a fire that spread through a paddock to scrub and trees at the Maerewhenua River, burning about 3ha, destroying fenceposts, a water tank and piping.
The intimidation charge related to a confrontation with Mr Eckhardt the day after the fire when Borsboom told him to ''watch his back'' and that ''he was going to be after him''.
Counsel Ngaire Alexander said Borsboom had suffered from mental health issues for a number of years and some time before September 11, 2014, he stopped taking his medication.
He had since resumed contact with the mental health services and was feeling ''a lot better'', Ms Alexander said.
Borsboom did not accept that he should pay any reparation to the property owner, Paul King, Ms Alexander said.
As Judge Maze summarised the case before sentencing Borsboom, he became distressed and continued to deny any wrongdoing, making comments such as; ''did not, did not''.
''I do not accept [any] of this,'' he said.
Judge Maze requested Borsboom sit quietly and patiently during sentencing.
The fire posed a danger to the community and the volunteer firefighters, Judge Maze said.
Given Borsboom's complex needs, a sentence of supervision or imprisonment would not be sufficient.
''You are far from a well man,'' she said.
The end result was a 12-month sentence of intensive supervision, with special conditions to complete a psychological assessment and judicial monitoring, and 80 hours' community work.
He was also ordered to pay reparation of $1389.96 to Chorus and $5326.81 to Mr King.
