Teen sentenced for arson

A Welcome Bay teenager has been sentenced to nine months home detention for the arson of an empty farmhouse at the far end of The Lakes subdivision.

Benjamin David Harris, 18, will also pay $10,000 in reparation and complete 200 hours community service.

He plead guilty to one charge of arson and one charge of burglary and was sentenced today.

The burglary charge relates to the theft of alcohol from the Te Puna Liquor Store on the same night.

Judge Thomas Ingram ruled home detention to be more appropriate than prison due to Harris' young age and co-operation.

He will also be subject to six months of post detention conditions.