The Van Dalen’s home was completely destroyed in one of several fires on Wards Line on Tuesday morning. PHOTOS/FILE
The woman arrested over an alleged arson in rural Greytown has appeared in Masterton District Court on multiple charges.
The 47-year-old Masterton woman is facing several counts of arson, including two counts of endangering life.
The eight charges related to multiple fires that erupted in the early hours of Tuesday morning on Wards Line. Two of the homes were occupied at the time.
Five of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
Judge Arthur Tompkins remanded Maya Moore in custody on Wednesday morning and dismissed an application for name suppression.
Moore’s assigned duty lawyer Fionnuala Kelly requested interim name suppression on her behalf, citing the heightened interest in the alleged events.
Tompkins deemed it too little, too late. “I am not going to make an order to suppress her name because it would be pointless,” he said.
Moore stood quietly in the dock with her hands clasped behind her back throughout the proceedings.
Police had issued a public appeal for sightings of Moore on Tuesday.
She was found in the early hours of Wednesday morning after she reportedly returned to Wards Line to check on her cows.
Three charges of arson related to a sleepout, implement shed, and hayshed at one of the two properties involved.
There was also an additional charge of intentional damage to beehives.
A charge of attempted arson related to another sleepout at one of the Wards Line properties.
The two charges of damaging by fire to the main dwellings were framed with the alleged offender either knowing or ought to have known “that danger to life was likely to ensure”.
Moore was also charged with resisting an officer acting in the execution of their duty, carrying a maximum penalty of three months in prison or a $2000 fine.
She was remanded in custody by consent until her next appearance on October 20.
