Fires spreading over hundreds of metres were well involved when emergency services arrived at Wards Line around 4am. PHOTO/FILE
The woman accused of an arson attack on occupied homes in South Wairarapa is pleading not guilty.
Police arrested Masterton woman Maya Moore in the wake of suspicious fires at two rural properties in Greytown on October 11.
She was subsequently charged with multiple counts of arson and was due to appear in Masterton District Court via audio-visual link on Thursday. Moore’s lawyer entered not-guilty pleas on her behalf and indicated an election of trial by jury.
The 47-year-old was also facing an historic burglary charge relating to an incident in April last year.
Moore was charged with several counts of arson relating to the fires on Wards Line, the most serious being two charges of endangering life, which carried a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Three arson charges related to a sleepout, implement shed, and a hayshed.
There was an additional charge of intentional damage to beehives and a charge of attempted arson. Moore also faced one charge of resisting a police officer related to the arrest after a police stakeout.
Judge Arthur Thompkins declined an application for name suppression and remanded Moore in custody on October 13. Moore will reappear for a case review hearing on December 5.
