A Hobart man who set fire to his elderly neighbour’s Rokeby home before calling to threaten him has been jailed for two years.
Luke Aaron Hales, 43, was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tasmania after a jury found him guilty of arson.
Chief Justice Chris Shanahan said Hales smashed a window at the social housing property in the early hours of January 23, 2024, before setting fire to curtains and carpet inside.
The 75-year-old victim, who had lived in the home for 30 years, woke to the sound of breaking glass and tried to put out the blaze using water from his kitchen.
Hales then called the victim, accused him of being “a paedophile and a rapist” and told him “I will get you”, the court heard.
He later returned with a lit piece of paper and spray, telling the victim he would burn the house down before trying to bash in the front door.
Chief Justice Shanahan said the victim had suffered “profound” psychological harm.
“He suffers from insomnia. He avoids going to sleep, because he is worried and listening for noises. He feels constantly under threat,” he said.
The victim described living across the road from Hales as “constant torture”.
The court heard Hales was intoxicated and had a long history of methamphetamine, cannabis and opioid use.
He is a sole parent of three children and has been unemployed for five years.
Chief Justice Shanahan said Hales showed limited remorse and gave Community Corrections an account “entirely inconsistent” with the jury’s verdict.
A home detention order was rejected because it would force the victim to continue living beside his attacker.
“Your conduct was repetitive, aggressive and dangerous,” he said. “It was frightening for the complainant and it was accompanied by threats.”
Hales must serve nine months before being eligible for parole. The remaining 12 months of the sentence was suspended.
He will be subject to a 12-month community corrections order on release, including drug and alcohol treatment and psychological assessment.
