Arsonist banned from drinking allowed sherry trifle on his birthday

A teeenage arsonist has avoided a complete alcohol ban so he could enjoy a sherry trifle on his birthday. Dale Michael Stears, 19, of Church Road Llanelli, appeared before town magistrates charged with five counts of arson and one act of criminal damage. The court heard how over four months, Stears set fire to a garage door, a gazebo, a wheelie bin and two walls, as well as causing damage to a Nissan Primera.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said: "It seems he goes along his way setting fire to black bags, and takes some pleasure in sitting back and watching them burn. This behaviour is a concern." But Stears himself said that he starts fires "to relieve stress" and not for enjoyment. "It is not something I do for pleasure," he told the court. "It chills me out, I think. It's a stress relief." Magistrates adjourned the case for three weeks to allow full reports, including psychiatric assessments, to be carried out.



But a debate broke out concerning the teen's bail conditions, which included requirements to live and sleep at the address given in court, to observe a curfew of 1am and 7am, and not to consume alcohol or to be found drunk in a public place. Defence solicitor Steve Lloyd said: "The defendant says it's his birthday on the 26th and he would like to consume alcohol on that date. It is difficult to enforce this ban because sometimes alcohol can be found in certain foods, trifle, for example, so how do you enforce the ban?"

Ms Vaughan replied: "Perhaps we could inform him he could have a sherry trifle on his birthday. I'm not making a mockery of it, but if he does find enjoyment in setting fires then perhaps on his birthday he will drink and indulge in it." Magistrates, who warned the teen that he could still be sentenced in crown court for the offences, agreed that Stears is not to consume alcohol in a public place, or be found drunk in public. Stears will reappear at Llanelli Magistrates' Court on November 25.