G. Deakin

The offender pleaded guilty to arson with disregard for human life after pouring gasoline inside his home during a domestic dispute, causing a fire that destroyed the house and killed two pets.

The Crown sought a net sentence of 12 months in jail (effectively 3 years minus 24 months pre-sentence custody credit) plus 2 years probation, while the defence sought a net sentence of 3 to 6 months.

The court emphasized denunciation and deterrence, imposing the Crown's requested sentence of 12 months further custody, 2 years probation, and a restitution order of over $92,000 to the insurer.

The accused pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and assaulting a peace officer.

The accused attacked the victim with a knife and bit him, causing bodily harm, and later spat at a police officer.

The court considered the accused's extensive criminal history and the viciousness of the attack as aggravating factors, and the guilty pleas and alcohol issues as mitigating factors.

The court imposed a total sentence of 15 months imprisonment, reduced to 283 days after credit for pre-sentence custody, along with a two-year probation order and a 10-year weapons prohibition.