A man who set fire to car in Cuba Mall in central Wellington has been sentenced to eight months' home detention.
Christopher Palenski, 40, was sentenced in Wellington District Court on Friday on one charge of arson and two charges of threatening to kill.
Palenski made two hoax calls to emergency services in November last year claiming he had planted explosive devices at the Reserve Bank and Stock Exchange.
On election day, 26 November, Palenski told passersby in Cuba Mall he was going to make his car disappear, then ignited flammable material in the vehicle causing a large explosion.
A psychiatric report revealed Palenski had a history of mental health problems, suffered depression and probably suffered from bi-polar disorder.
Judge Susan Thomas said he explained his actions by saying he wanted to create debate about the banking system and was frustrated at the lack of media interest after the bomb threats.
She ordered Palenski to carry out 160 hours of community work in addition to home detention.
