Guy Anthony O’Brien appeared in Wellington Local Court last week where he pleaded guilty to the charge of causing or setting fire to the property of another.

Mr O’Brien was charged in December after the fire resulted in NSW Fire Brigades and Rural Fire Service crews being called to extinguish the blaze which burned about two acres of land.

According to police facts, Mr O’Brien went to the Macquarie River in Montefiores to go fishing on December 15 where he gathered timber and prepared a fire place.

Although the fire danger in the local area had been declared ‘very high’ and it was hot outside, Mr O’Brien lit the fire about 9pm to sit by as he fished.

About 30 minutes later the 24-year-old finished fishing and attempted to extinguish the fire by pouring a bucket of water over it.

He then left the area without checking to make sure the fire had been completely extinguished.

A short time later, the fire flared and ignited nearby grass where it quickly spread to cause a significant fire zone, according to police facts.

Concerned neighbours called the police and fire brigade, with the fire brigade able to contain the blaze.

Police canvassed the area and as a result of information supplied to them they attended Mr O’Brien’s address where he admitted to lighting the fire.

He was arrested and taken to Wellington Police Station where he also made full admissions to the incident.

Mr O’Brien attended court last week where magistrate Terry Lucas handed down a 12-month suspended sentence as a result of the incident.