In what is termed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust as a landmark case for conservationists nationwide, Bodmin magistrates have ruled that deliberate fire damage to wildlife habitats can be treated as arson under the law.
Gary Thomas, 19, of St Blazey, was found guilty on March 8 of damaging the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Breney Common nature reserve, near Lostwithiel, in March of last year.
Trust reserves manager, Victoria Whitehouse, said: 'Vandalism of this type has been a grey area in the law until now as it was never clear whether destruction of wild plants could be counted as damage to property. The case has established a new mechanism by which we can use the law to protect nature.'
Almost a hectare of internationally important heathland was lost in the incident, but the Trust said the impact could have been much greater had the fires not been spotted so quickly.
Victoria added: 'It was very fortunate that a guided walk was taking place on another part of the reserve at the same time. Volunteers were able to stamp out the flames before they spread even further. They were also able to take pictures of the defendant leaving the reserve.'
Sentence will be passed on April 12, and the Trust is calling on the public to help prevent future arson attacks by reporting anything suspicious.
Victoria said: 'Every year many acres of heathland disappear in flames. This pointless destruction not only kills off wildlife and its habitats but wipes out the hard work carried out by volunteers, costs the police and fire services a great deal of money, and puts visiting members of the public at risk.'