The lawyer for a 12-year-old girl who set the multi-million dollar fire to the Canada Games Centre last year says a judicial reprimand, or stern warning from the judge, is enough of a punishment for his client.

Malcolm Campbell was in court last Thursday afternoon at a sentencing hearing for the young girl, one of two girls to plead guilty following the fire.

In February, a 13-year-old was sentenced to two years' probation and 240 hours of community service.

She must stay away from the Canada Games Centre, was given a curfew and was banned from having a cell phone, a lighter or any incendiary devices.

Crown prosecutors are seeking the same sentence for the younger girl.

In June 2011, the pair, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, lit a speed skating mat on fire and caused nearly $7 million in damage to the recreation centre.

The girls have admitted to being at the ATCO arena, along with an 11-year-old boy, when the trio pulled down some of the mats to build forts.

The girls then lit the handles of a mat on fire and the group ran from the area, passing fire alarms and numerous adults without alerting anyone.

When they were first questioned by police as possible witnesses, the girls said they had seen a First Nations woman running from the building — something they discussed via text message.

Campbell argued that his client was goofing off with friends and never intended for the fire to get out of control.

The lawyer also pointed out that the girl had just turned 12 weeks before the fire.

Under section 13 of Canada's criminal code, a child younger than 12 cannot be convicted of an offence.

The girl's age, her lack of criminal history and her lack of intent when starting the fire makes a judicial reprimand an appropriate sentence, Campbell said.

The only reason it may seem controversial is because of the scope of the damage, and the number of people affected, he said.

But retribution through punishment is not appropriate here, he told the court.

Campbell argued his client was a lesser player in the fire and said the older girl should take more responsibility because of her age.

He also pointed out that it was the older girl who threatened to hit the young boy if he told anyone what happened.

If Judge Michael Cozens does order probation, Campbell argued that a number of the restrictions placed on the older girl are not necessary in this case.

A cell phone is a tool of modern society with many benefits, and banning cell use is not rehabilitative, he said.

Banning the girl from the Canada Games Centre also prevents her from being around a number of positive influences.

The judge pointed out that officials at the centre have said they are not willing to allow the girls' entrance.

Campbell said his client wanted to help with the cleanup of the games centre following the fire but couldn't because of the court's restrictions.

She has very low self-esteem and has lost many friends since the fire, he said.

She is already seeing a counsellor and there is nothing to suggest she would ever do anything like this again, he told the court.

"I'm sorry for what I did. I know it was wrong and I wish I hadn't done it. I know someone could have gotten hurt,” the girl told the judge when given the chance to speak, adding, "I should have pulled the fire alarm.”

Cozens said a presentencing report shows that the young girl is not looking at herself and seeing anything positive.

He encouraged the girl to not make this mistake a ball and chain she carries around for the rest of her life.

"How you say you're sorry is by making yourself the best person you can be,” he said. "You're not going to change everyone's mind. At the end of the day, you have to work through that.”

The judge is scheduled to sentence the girl on Thursday.