Hamilton man Jason Monkley charged childcare $2900 to fix van
A Hamilton man, Jason Paul Monkley, was sentenced for arson after torching a childcare van he was hired to repair. Despite his attempts to cover his tracks, CCTV footage from multiple locations confirmed his involvement.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of digital surveillance in criminal investigations and the impact of property crime on small community businesses.
Jason Paul Monkley torched a van he was meant to be repairing at Hamilton Gardens.
A man who was trusted to repair a childcare van instead drove it to Hamilton Gardens and set it alight, only to be caught by his own CCTV footage.
Jason Paul Monkley had spent months fixing the Ōtorohanga-based Kiwi Kids Club van.
The owner had shelled out $2900 for materials, but after telling her it was done and he would take it for a warrant, Monkley instead drove it to Hamilton Gardens in the dead of night and torched it.
His actions led to a charge of arson and this week, Monkley appeared in Hamilton District Court for sentencing before Judge Stephen Clark.
Court documents state Monkley twice denied any involvement in the blaze.
However, his movements were tracked to the minute by the city council, BP and his own CCTV system.
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