Dave Richard Ebanks Narrowly Avoids Prison For Setting Fire To North Side Police Station
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Alric Lindsay
Dave Richard Ebanks appeared in court today, May 23, 2025, to be sentenced for setting fire to the North Side police station. He received 14 months’ imprisonment but the judge suspended the sentence for two years, during which time he must do 200 hours of community service.
Background
As explained in our previous story, in July 2023 at around 1:45am, a 911 report was made about the North Side police station being on fire. According to reports, the fire was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries.
Notwithstanding that no one was injured, significant damage was reported for the building.
CCTV from the neighbourhood showed Ebanks was present at the scene. He was also identified by witnesses.
Ebanks was subsequently arrested and later pleaded guilty in court.
Sentence
After hearing from prosecution and defence counsels, the Hon Justice Peters noted that the maximum punishment for arson is life imprisonment. However, she also considered recommendationa made to the court for a non-custodial sentence.
After deliberating, the Hon Justice Peters sentenced Ebanks as follows:
| Description | Sentence |
| Starting point | 18 months |
| less credit for time spent in custidy, etc | (4 months) |
| Total | 14 months |
The Hon Justice Peters suspended the above sentence for two years.
She noted that if Ebanks reoffends during this time, he will face prison.
Lastlty, she ordered that Ebanks must complete 200 hours of community service, abstain from alcohol and drugs, do any relapse programme recommended to him and comply with all reasonable requests made by his probation officer.
