In the early hours of December 17, 2012, Joseph Fischer and his mates rocked up to the back door of the Jamberoo IGA supermarket, looking to steal some soft drinks.
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Unable to get inside, Fischer instead carried out what some would consider a standard teenage prank - he set a nearby wheelie bin on fire.
The group then left, none the wiser to the fact that their flare-up would soon take hold of the supermarket building and become a great, hulking blaze, completely destroying the store and causing almost $2 million worth of damage.
In a district court sitting in Sutherland on Friday, Fischer's lawyer did not hold back when describing the stupidity of his client's actions.
"This was a silly, childish prank by an immature boy who was barely 18 years old," barrister Allan Goldsworthy said.
However, in defence of Fischer's actions, Mr Goldsworthy also said no one could have forseen the bin fire spreading as it did.
"The bin was on wet grass some 10 metres from the building," he said.
"No one thought it would spread to the building - Mr Fischer never had any intention to burn down the building."
It is understood the fire spread to the store via timber beams and posts lying near the bin.
The court heard Fischer had had a sound upbringing and excelled at school until the age of 14 when his father died of heart disease, sending him into a downward spiral of depression and grief.
He moved to Queensland with his mother at one stage, however returned to the Kiama area by himself shortly after turning 18 and "fell in with the wrong crowd", Mr Goldsworthy said.
It was during this time he committed the crime.
Mr Goldsworthy said much had changed in Fischer's life since that time - he was now working full time, living with his grandparents, and had recently become engaged.
"His rehabilitation has been most impressive," Mr Goldsworthy said, in asking the court to consider a suspended prsion sentence.
Judge Paul Conlon agreed to the request, which was not opposed by the prosecution, noting that Fischer had taken full responsibility for the crime and was extremely sorry for his behaviour.
"I'm satisfied he has excellent prospects of rehabilitation," Judge Conlon said, in handing Fischer a nine-month suspended sentence.