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A man charged with arson over the large fire that tore through the Waiuku Business Park last week has now sought name suppression.
Court documents show the 30-year-old man appeared in the Manukau District Court on November 26, charged with intentionally damaging immovable property by fire. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment under section 267(1)(b) of the Crimes Act.
Police allege the offending occurred between Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25 at the Waiuku Business Park, where a large blaze gutted part of the Future Post site late on Monday night and into Tuesday morning.
Fire crews from across 16 Auckland regions were called to contain the fire, which sent thick smoke across the town and required an extended firefighting operation.
Read more: Waiuku Business Park owner ‘relieved’ after arrest over major fire
The defendant’s lawyer lodged a formal name-suppression application on December 2 following enquiries by the Franklin Times seeking confirmation of the defendant’s identity and appearance details.
The application means the court will now consider whether his name should be temporarily or permanently withheld from publication.
He is accused of intentionally, and without claim of right, damaging property by fire. According to the charging document, police allege he had no lawful interest in the property involved.
He first appeared before a registrar at the Manukau District Court on November 26. Further court dates and the outcome of the name-suppression bid are yet to be confirmed.
Police said their investigation into the Waiuku fire is ongoing.
