Tenant accused of arson

A HOUSING Tasmania tenant is standing trial on a charge of arson in the Supreme Court in Burnie.

Prosecutors told the jury Craig Michael McGrath had lit the fire, in a Smithton unit, because he had been denied a transfer to another property due to a record of unpaid rent and damage.

The court was told Housing Tasmania then issued an eviction notice and Mr McGrath needed to be out in early January, 2016. The unit was destroyed by fire on January 4.

The court was told Mr McGrath had purchased fire lighters and lighter from Woolworths on the night of the fire and the transaction was recorded by CCTV and because he had used a loyalty card.

The jury was told Mr Mc- Grath then travelled to Smithton and lit the blaze.

Police say they intercepted the car in which the defendant was travelling with two other men in Wynyard not long after the fire was reported to the Tasmania Fire Service.

A TFS witness told the court investigators had determined the blaze was deliberately lit and three start points had been identified. A police forensic officer said the property was vacant at the time but included personal belongings including a document bearing Mr McGrath’s name which was found in a bedroom in the least damaged part of the unit.

Mr McGrath’s defence counsel Stephen Wright told the jury his client had lived at the property and did buy firelighters on the night in question but did not light the blaze.

The trial continues today.