The man accused of arson involving four telecommunications connection cabinets in Wanaka in June will remain in custody after his application for electronically monitored bail was turned down.
Jan Hermanus Campher (33), of Wanaka, denies the four separate charges of intentionally damaging four telecommunication connection boxes by fire, property of Telecom, knowing that danger to life was likely to ensue.
The charges relate to fires on Brownston St, Hedditch St, Dungarvon St and Kings Dr on the June 11 and 12.
Campher appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, with an application for electronically monitored bail.
Defence counsel Maxine Knowler, of Cromwell, sought for her client to be allowed to live in Westport, and for him to be allowed access to his children who live in Wanaka, whom he had not seen since his arrest.
Electronic Monitoring Bail assessor Mark Bell, of Invercargill, said there was no opposition to the application.
Campher would have been on a 24-hour curfew and if he left the address in Westport, Police Communications would know immediately and notify the nearest police station as a "priority one".
However, the nearest 24-hour police station was in Nelson, 102km away.
Judge Flatley raised concerns about Campher's risk of reoffending, even with an electronically monitored bracelet.
"If this defendant does manage to leave the address . . . then there's no ability to track where he has gone.
"If he removes the bracelet or leaves the location, then it's not possible to know where he is."
Judge Flatley said there were also concerns Campher would interfere with witnesses, or make more attacks on Telecom telecommunications cabinets.
Ms Knowler told Judge Flatley her client "strenuously denies" setting the fires.
"Under no circumstances would there be any attempt to breach . . . any conditions of bail.
"He's now had two months in custody and he's well aware of what would await him," Ms Knowler told the court.
After an adjournment, Judge Flatley told Campher he was to remain in police custody as he did not consider it appropriate to grant bail.
"The offending has been serious . . . [there was] over $100,000 damage and risk to the lives of those dependent on Telecom. [Judge Paul Kellar, at a previous appearance] considered the risk . . . to be very strong and the likelihood of conviction high.
"He also considered there were risks of Mr Campher reoffending."
Judge Kellar said Campher had "issues" with his employer because he was dismissed from his employment and the circumstances "strongly point" to him being the perpetrator of the offences.
"He continues to deny he had any involvement to this offending.
He has entered not guilty. The matter will go to trial.
"What concerns me . . . given his plea of not guilty and the fact he remains very firm that he was not involved, it's not likely any feelings he may have had towards his employer have abated in any way."
Judge Kellar said Campher had a history of mental health issues and had "minor narcissistic traits in a somewhat grandiose way" and denied some of the "realities" in his life.
Campher was remanded to reappear in the Queenstown District Court on August 24.
