A 20-year-old man accused of starting several fires around Bega will apply to have his trial heard before a judge only, rather than a jury.
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Blake William Banner maintained his pleas of not guilty to seven counts of intentionally causing fires and being reckless to their spread when he appeared in Bega Local Court in September.
His case had its first appearance before the NSW District Court on Wednesday, September 30, at the Sydney Downing Centre, after being committed to the higher court earlier in the month.
According to information supplied by the District Court's media department, a judge-alone trial was opposed by the Crown, but consented to by the defendant.
The Crown believed it was in the public's interest to have a jury.
District Court Judge Helen Syme directed the defence to submit its application for a judge-alone trial by early October and adjourned the matter for call over to October 7.
Mr Banner's bail is to continue.
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