Man jailed for lighting fire in Invercargill basilica

John Paul Scotson, 52, was sentenced on a charge of arson in the Invercargill District Court on July 17.

In October 2025, he started a fire inside a filing cabinet in the basilica. A member of the public passed him coming out of the church and the smell of smoke led to the parish priest being called. The priest used a fire extinguisher to bring the fire under control before a fire crew arrived and pulled the filing cabinet outside.

Scotson was identified from security footage. He has been in custody since November.

Judge Russell Walker said Scotson was lucky someone noticed the fire when they did.

The judge said Scotson’s 10-page history of previous convictions included a previous arson charge, along with burglary, dishonesty, drug possession and public disorder convictions. It was clear, from pre-sentencing reports, that Scotson’s drug dependence was a factor in his offending, the judge said.

“You said you were hungry, desperate and out of control on meth.” However, the judge said report writers were concerned that Scotson did not believe he needed support for his addiction.

Scotson will be eligible for parole in 12 months.

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Arsonist jailed for fire in historic Invercargill basilica (By Louisa Steyl/Southland Times – subscription required)