QLD:Accused teen had no past at burnt school

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2011
QLD:Accused teen had no past at burnt school

By Kym Agius

BRISBANE, April 28 AAP - The mother of a teenager charged with setting a school fire
in Brisbane says he never attended the school and has not been in trouble before.

The blaze at Wavell Heights State School in Chermside started about 4am (AEST) on Wednesday
and destroyed an entire wing of the school in Brisbane's north.

Joshua Ross Poole, 17, of Albany Creek, has been charged with enter premises with intent
and arson.

James Robert Thomas Gregory, 17, of Chermside, is facing the same charges and three
more - receiving tainted property, possessing an instrument used in a commission of crime
and a drug-related charge.

Gregory's mother, Belinda Medlin, told reporters outside Pine Rivers Magistrates Court
she was very surprised he was accused of the crimes and he had never been in trouble before.

Asked if the accusations were a mother's worst nightmare she said, "Yes, it really is."

She said she did not know the co-accused or how long the pair had been friends.

Ms Medlin said Gregory had not attended the school and he lived at home and worked
full-time as a labourer.

"We'll take it day by day and try to understand," Ms Medlin said.

Magistrate Stephen Guttridge granted bail to both teenagers and adjourned the matter
to the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 12.

Two 16-year-old juveniles charged over the fire were due to appear in the Brisbane
Children's Court on Thursday to be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice
Act.

AAP ka/crh/jl/de

KEYWORD: SCHOOL 2ND UPDATE

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