A dwarf with a bent for arson is to have intensive supervision in an attempt to dampen his fire-bug tendencies.



Shane Anthony Reid, 34, pleaded guilty in the High Court at Wellington today to setting two fires under a prefab classroom at Wellington High School in December 2009.



A security guard found both fires and they were extinguished after causing about $5000 worth of damage.



In 2005 Reid was found guilty of setting fires at two Waikato schools the previous year.



Reid, who was living in Upper Hutt in between about a year spent in custody on the latest charges, was to have stood trial today. He pleaded guilty after Justice Forrie Miller indicated he would not be sentenced to jail.



Justice Miller said Reid had intellectual and social difficulties. He questioned whether the criminal law was the best way of dealing with Reid.



What was needed was a way to manage the risk Reid posed, the judge said.



The intensive supervision sentence is to last 12 months during which time Reid is to take counselling and treatment as a probation officer directs, and to live where he is told.