Bega: Ex Tarraganda firefighter Blake Banner allegedly lit fires
A young RFS volunteer allegedly started seven blazes over six weks on the south coast late last year.
The South Coast News
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A Tarraganda man will stand trial charged with lighting multiple fires in and around Bega late last year.
Former Tarraganda Brigade volunteer firefighter Blake William Banner, 20, will face a judge-alone trial on December 7 after pleading not guilty to lighting seven separate fires in and around Bega between October and November last year.
Banner, wearing a collared shirt with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, faced Bega District Court on October 19, confirming his pleas of not guilty in front of Judge Andrew Haesler.
Prosecutors allege Banner, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged offences, lit the seven grass and shrub fires on public land over a six-week period.
Prosecutors allege Banner, who is currently on bail, lit his first fire under a bridge at Tarraganda on October 17 last year, before allegedly lighting another a short time later near the Princes Highway at Ravenswood Street in Bega.
Banner allegedly lit another fire near the Bega River at Auckland Street in Bega On November 7.
Prosecutors allege Banner lit his fourth fire in grass on Murrays Flat Road on November 10, and another the following day on Dr George Mountain Road at Tarraganda.
They allege Banner lit another fire in grass and bushland near the Bega River on November 26, and that on November 30 he returned to Dr George Road where he lit another fire.
Judge Haesler adjourned the matter to Bega District Court on November 30 for mention before Banner’s trial begins on December 7.