R v Webb

The case of R v Webb before the High Court of New Zealand concerns the sentencing of Kelvin Mark Webb, who was convicted of four counts of arson at the Foxton Racing Club racecourse. Webb was acquitted of one count of arson. The crimes were committed while Webb was the caretaker of the racecourse, a position he held as part of his rehabilitation following a serious accident. The court considered the significant financial and emotional harm caused by the arson, Webb’s abuse of his position of trust, and the premeditated nature of the offenses. Despite Webb's offer to pay reparation, the court found it unrealistic due to his limited financial means. The court ultimately determined a starting point of seven years' imprisonment, considering the comparable cases and the circumstances of the offense. After accounting for the restrictive conditions of Webb's bail, the court sentenced him to six years and eight months’ imprisonment for the lead offence, with concurrent sentences for the other counts. The court declined to impose a non-parole period and did not order reparation, considering Webb’s inability to pay.