Alleged arsonist defiant

MURRAY WILSON/ The Manawatu Standard

BAD BEHAVIOUR: Christopher Tubman, 35, appears in the Palmerston North District Court facing charges related to a spate of inner city arsons.

GUTTED: An unfinished childcare centre at Leisureplex.

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The man alleged to be behind a string of inner-city arson incidents has been scolded by a judge for a display of defiance in the dock.

Unemployed Awapuni man Christopher Tubman, 35, has indicated he is likely to plead guilty to about 16 charges including arson, burglary, and being in possession of tools for burglary.

As Tubman walked into the dock in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday, he made hand gestures and faces at journalists.

But his defiant behaviour did not go unnoticed by Judge Gregory Ross, who immediately told the alleged serial arsonist to, "Please act your age".

Defence lawyer Fergus Steedman told the court Tubman would plead guilty to "most, if not all" charges against him.

He asked for a remand until July 7, so he could check the details of the charges and match them to Tubman's version of events.

A new charge of burglary at the Manawatu Golf Club between May 9 and May 10 has been added since Tubman's appearance last week.

Properties targeted in the trail of arsons over a fortnight include: Freyberg High School, Leisureplex, Terrace End School, Cafe Esplanade, a Budget Waste skip bin, Top Cook Takeaways, Farmers construction site, Esplanade aviary and a Surrey Cres home.

A graffiti phrase, "You Kant C Me", was sprayed on to a prefab building at the Farmers construction site that was set alight on June 10.

On June 12, the Manawatu Standard published security camera footage of a man setting fire to the Esplanade Cafe.

Tubman was arrested last week, after a number of people came forward with information.

He is remanded in custody until July 7.