Guilty pleas to arson

Twomen have pleaded guilty to burning down the Tauranga Rainbow Youth building in what the LGBTQIA+ community called ‘‘an act of terror’’. In Tauranga District Court yesterday, Judge Thomas Ingram told Alexander James Burgess, 33, and Zechariah Phillips, 29, home detention was a possibility ‘‘but that is not a promise’’. A person who commits arson – the intentional or reckless damage by fire of a property – can be liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years. Burgess, who appeared in court by audiovisual link, had originally pleaded not guilty on July 7 but has since changed his plea and admitted his guilt. A police summary said the pair, who are both unemployed, allegedly started the fire around 11.20pm on June 15, destroying the building. The twomen will be sentenced on November 29.