A DENNINGTON man who was smoking a cannabis joint in reeds when they ignited near his home has pleaded guilty to arson.
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Roiden Gass, 35, of Baynes Street, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court charged with arson, using cannabis, and two counts each of failing to answer bail and possessing cannabis and ice.
He was picked up on warrants last Friday and spent three days in the Warrnambool cells.
Magistrate John Lesser said it was a co-accused who was blamed for actually lighting the fire.
Gass was convicted and fined $1700.
Police said that on March 15 Gass and another man went to the Dennington supermarket, Gass was riding a skateboard and his mate a bike.
They went to the Merri River boardwalk and Gass was smoking a cannabis joint when a fire started nearby.
Witnesses described Gass and the other man acting suspiciously and a video was taken of their behaviour.
The fire brigade attended, they were the only people in that particular area and skateboard tracks were found.
Gass had used his skateboard to try and put out the flames.
He tried to hide in the reeds and suffered burns to his legs and arms.
Damage to the boardwalk was valued at $308.
A couple of months ago Gass was also found in possession of small amounts of cannabis and ice when he was a passenger in a car.