A Devonport man who set fire to the Housing Tasmania unit he were living in has been sentenced to jail.
Terrence Leigh Adams caused over $200,000 worth of damage to his property and a neighbouring unit in the early hours of the morning on 25 April 2020.
In her remarks, Justice Tamara Jago dismissed Adams claim that the fire was accidental, describing his explanation during the trial as “inconsistent, implausible and at times, nonsensical”.
“I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you intentionally set fire to the building,” Jago said.
The court heard that Adams was “behaving erratically” after consuming “a substantial quantity of alcohol,” driven by concerns about potential eviction from the housing unit.
Jago said the home went up in flames after Adams threw a saucepan through a window.
Tamara Jago
“I am satisfied that you deliberately introduced a mobile ignition source into some flammable material that was in a cupboard in your unit.”
After setting the fire, Adams left without seeking assistance or notifying his neighbours and took “a number” of personal possessions – including photo albums – with him.
The blaze destroyed Adams unit and caused significant damage to the adjacent unit.
Both units had to be demolished, with the damage caused by Adams in excess of $200,000.
Adams has an intellectual disability, as well as alcohol and drug problems, and has previous convictions for serious crimes – including setting fire to a person in 2008.
Justice Jago said that Adams had exposed other residents to serious risk and caused the destruction of public housing, which is in high demand for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
He was found guilty of arson and sentenced to a jail term of two years and four months, with eligibility for parole after serving half that time.
