By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN who caused Fountain Gate shopping centre to be evacuated after setting a bin full of cardboard on fire as a dare has been ordered by a court to apologise to its management.
Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told that 20-year-old Shane Simpson, who pleaded guilty to the arson on 20 September, was dared by a young friend to start the blaze.
“Given it was a windy day, he didn’t think it would take,” the lawyer said. “But it did.”
The unemployed man, who lives with and cares for his dementia-afflicted grandmother, “scrimped and saved” $450 to replace the damaged bin prior to his court appearance, the lawyer said.
Simpson had had to overcome a host of difficulties such as an unusually “small stature” which was caused by a cyst on his brain as a child, the court was told.
Simpson harboured hope of working in Canada, his lawyer said.
“Hopefully not in any national parks,” magistrate Gerard Bryant quipped.
Mr Bryant said Simpson had to “have a backbone to stand up to stupid people who attempt to lead you astray”.
“It’s one of those classic scenarios when his age belies his mentality.
“Clearly it’s a capricious and stupid act which could have had more ramifications.”
Mr Bryant said he hoped Simpson didn’t get a “thrill or a kick” out of starting the fire.
“I’ll put this down to a childish and immature act.”
Simpson was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond with the condition that he apologised.
