The 36-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly starting a fire near several homes in West Kelowna on July 10 – and subsequently released – is back in custody facing a single charge of “arson in relation to inhabited property.”.The incident was caught on camera by a local resident, who began filming when he noticed a man lurking in the wooded area behind his home. The video shows the man lingering amid the trees before lighting something on fire and tossing it into the dry brush..Neighbours reportedly rushed to extinguish the fire themselves before officers arrived. Shortly after receiving a description of the suspect and his vehicle, police were able to locate and arrest him, as he was still in the area..Despite video evidence and an arrest shortly after, the suspect was released with “a series of conditions and charges pending,” which left local residents cursing the justice system for letting the alleged arsonist go..The suspect’s quick release prompted Kelowna-West MLA, Ben Stewart to write a letter to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth – requesting a review of how Crown Counsel and police are “approaching decisions related to detention of people suspected of committing serious offences.”.Stewart said he was “astonished” that the man was released so quickly back into the community, considering the severity of the crime..“The presumption is innocence until proven guilty. You have to show an overwhelming case to keep them in,” a former RCMP investigator told the Western Standard, who said the video on it’s own was not good enough to I.D. the man..“I’ve seen murderers, rapists, robbers – you name it – released. It wouldn’t be a strange tale to any of the police involved.”.On Thursday morning, the suspect – who has been identified as 36-year-old Stephen Leader – was taken into custody following an arrest warrant. Leader was scheduled to appear before the BC Provincial Court later that afternoon, but the appearance was adjourned by consent..His court date is now scheduled for July 29, according to documents..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
