NSW: Suspected arsonist to face mental health assessment
22 Jan 2009 2:08 PM
A homeless man will undergo psychiatric assessment after facing court charged with lighting seven bushfires in Sydney's Royal National Park yesterday.
Police say the fires spread quickly .. but fortunately moved away from homes and the railway line south of Sydney.
Officers arrested 43-year-old MALCOLM JOHN SMITH in the park yesterday near the origin of one of the fires.
The've told Sutherland Local Court today .. he was found with cigarette lighters .. bicycle pumps and a homemade replica pistol.
Police say SMITH had been living in the park for more than three weeks and was charged with intentionally causing a fire and recklessly causing its spread.
He's denied lighting the seven fires.
Magistrate BEVERLEY SCHURR has ordered SMITH undergo a mental health assessment and adjourned the matter until tomorrow.
