A young man accused of lighting several fires around Bega will have his trial heard before a sole judge, rather than a jury, later this year.
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Blake William Banner, 20, appeared in Bega District Court on Monday, October 19.
With his long hair tied back in a ponytail, he stood in the courtroom's dock to confirm his pleas of not guilty to seven counts of intentionally causing fires and being reckless to their spread.
The court heard these fires were alleged to have been started at several locations between Bega and Doctor George Mountain over October and November 2019.
Mr Banner's solicitor, Jennifer Chalker, told the court his application for a judge-alone trial had been granted last week.
NSW District Court Judge Andrew Haesler listed the matter for trial on December 7, but flagged it would be mentioned for call over before then, and set the bail to continue.
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Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
