Judge Tom Gilbert wasn't impressed when he discovered an arsonist had used AI to pen apology letters. "It is clear these letters were generated by AI [artificial intelligence]," Judge Gilbert said, as defence lawyer Cindy Lee told the court Win had written letters of apology. Lee then approached Win in the dock, who admitted she had used AI to "help" write the letters. Judge Gilbert didn’t accept her explanation, saying the use of AI to draft apology letters "undermines the sentiments". While a pre-sentence report had recommended home detention, Judge Gilbert instead imprisoned her for 27 months.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 15, 2026 23:17 UTC