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£115 fine for setting fire to bench
A MAN who set fire to a council-owned bench has been ordered to pay £115.
Richard Pople, 30, of Colescliffe Road, Scarborough, admitted to charges of criminal damage and failing to surrender to police bail.
Scarborough Magistrates' Court heard that Pople was seen by a member of the public sitting on a bench in Esplanade Gardens with six-inch flames coming from parts of the wood.
Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, said that two separate burn marks had been discovered, and would cost an estimated 50 to repair.
The member of the public, who was walking a dog when he witnessed the crime, called the police.
Pople was taken into police custody, but said he could remember nothing of the incident.
Franklyn Garvey, mitigating, said: "He had been released from prison the day before. What happened was he bumped into an associate who provided him with a can of cider.
"He was wiling away the time, and went to light a cigarette.
"The cider was parcelled in a polythene bag which has then stuck to him, burned his fingers and gone on to the bench.
"he had difficulty putting the fire out which has resulted in the two scorch marks."
Mr Garvey added that Pople had failed to answer his bail on August 26 because he had not received notification.
He was fined 50, ordered to pay a 15 victim surcharge and the council 50 compensation.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
