Serial fire hoazer walks free (From Warrington Guardian)

Serial fire hoazer walks free

A SERIAL fire hoaxer - accused of killing a pensioner's pet budgie by covering it with bleach and washing powder - has walked free from court with a 12-month referral order.

The Crewe youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, escaped imprisonment when he was sentenced at South Cheshire Youth Court last week.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges of making hoax calls to the Fire Brigade and one charge of causing criminal damage on January 30 this year.

The youth also asked for eleven more offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that the 17-year-old committed the offences as a way of 'releasing his anger'.

He admitted making a false alarm call to Cheshire Fire Service from a telephone kiosk in Badger Avenue on October 21, and two further hoax calls from Rigg Street on December 21 and 23.

He attempted to make a further hoax call on December 23, but the call handler recognised his voice and informed the police, who rushed to the scene and arrested him.

During a police interview, the youth admitted making a total of 14 prank calls to the Fire Service between September and December last year.

Prosecutor Beverley Dobson told the court: "At 10.15pm they received a call from a male stating that conifers were on fire in West Street.

"The evidence appears to be that since September 21 the fire service has received 14 malicious calls in the vicinity of West Street and 11 of them resulted in resources being deployed."

While on bail, the court heard that the youth entered 65-year-old Alzheimer sufferer Cyril Ralphs' property and made a prank call to Wulvern Housing wardens.

Mr Ralphs returned to his house to find washing powder on his kitchen floor and his pet budgie dead after being covered with washing powder and bleach.

Defending, Scott Harding said: "The unusual nature of the explanation shows that this is a young man with deep-rooted personal problems and some form of councilling would be helpful.

"He accepts both sets of offences and there was full co-operation with the police.

"With the second set of offences he gave full and frank admissions although he didn't go as far as the damage to the bird.

"The defendant is sorry for what he has done and approached the aggrieved party to convey an apology."

Chair of the bench Ann Calder said: "To enter an old man's flat and cause damage to the property and to the pet is really beyond belief.

"You have come close to being sentenced into custody but we are drawn back from that and are going to order a 12-month referral order."

The 17-year-old was ordered to pay £60 costs and £75 compensation to Mr Ralphs.