A teen’s arson act aboard a First Bus, endangering 20 lives, led to court admission. The prank caused serious damage and costly repairs.
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His dangerous act caused a big fire. The First Bus had about 20 people inside. The then 15-year-old, now 17, admitted arson that risked lives in court.
A witness saw him with the carton and lighter. He tapped the witness, offering a “present” as the other teen exited the bus. The teen then held the burning carton and threw it at the back of the bus.
The witness left after the teen said it was on fire, expecting him to put it out. The fire spread and caused a lot of damage. It even melted a bus stop roof, and the bus repairs cost around £128,500.
The court learned he had no prior convictions. However, he did set fire to something in 2021, also damaging property. His lawyer said he was young then.
The lawyer stated he panicked and called a friend, not expecting things to become so serious. She said he was “messing around” on the bus and regrets his actions deeply. He didn’t intend to hurt anyone but takes responsibility and wants to change.
The judge called his actions very dangerous, emphasizing that people could have been hurt or killed. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the bus had extensive damage.
The judge considered reports about him and gave him an 18-month youth order. She warned that playing with fire is dangerous and that he needs to understand that. His order includes fire safety training and a three-month parenting order. Jail should be the last resort for young people, but he could still go to jail if he fails.