Firey pleads guilty to Donnybrook blazes

Volunteer firefighter Stephen Kenneth Johnson has admitted lighting three fires in Donnybrook which threatened homes and caused extensive damage last year.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in Bunbury Magistrates Court yesterday to three counts of wilfully lighting a fire likely to injure or damage.

However, the sentencing of Johnson has been put on hold because his lawyer believes "the sentencing would benefit" from psychological and pre-sentence reports.

Johnson - a volunteer firefighter with the Argyle Bushfire Brigade and member of the Donnybrook State Emergency Service - deliberately lit three fires which burnt out-of-control causing significant damage to bushland and threatening homes and properties between December 22 and 28.

As part of a joint operation by South West Detectives and Donnybrook police, Johnson was arrested in February.

He first appeared in Northbridge Magistrates Court via video link from Bunbury where the court was told he was depressed before he lit one of the fires and wanted to help fight it.

Despite detectives urging the court not to release him, Johnson was granted bail.

On December 22, Johnson used a lighter to set alight scrub at the end of a cul-de-sac in Irishtown.

On the same day, he sparked a blaze that caused extensive damage to property on Beelerup Road in Donnybrook.

Then, on December 28, Johnson lit another fire in Donnybrook which prompted a watch and act alert.

The out-of-control fire again threatened homes and properties and caused extensive damage to bushland.

Police say the fires had a significant financial impact on the Donnybrook community.

In court yesterday, defence lawyer Michael Devlin requested Magistrate Dianne Scaddan order a psychological and pre-sentence report on Johnson before sentencing.

Magistrate Scaddan agreed and extended Johnson's bail of $10,000 and set the matter for sentencing in the Bunbury District Court on June 20.

Johnson made no comment yesterday.