Video brings down arsonist
A 23-YEAR-OLD man almost committed the perfect crime, until his co-accused was arrested on an unrelated matter, and the group’s video footage ousted him to police.
Joshua Paul Townsend pleaded guilty “at the 11th hour” to one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of arson on the morning his trial was meant to begin at the Toowoomba District Court on Monday.
Crown prosecutor Emily Coley told the court on the night of October 23, 2020, a car was stolen from a Toowoomba property and later driven by three offenders: Townsend, Harrison Jon Gardner and Blair Edwin Taylor, to a Goombungee paddock and set alight, completely destroying the vehicle.
Townsend’s involvement was not discovered until Gardner, 21, was arrested on an unrelated matter and his phone seized, which uncovered evidence of Townsend at the scene.
Video footage on Gardner’s phone showed Townsend driving the stolen vehicle, and at times reaching speeds of more than 140km/hr.
Townsend, who at the time was on a suspended licence and under probation, was arrested for his involvement on March 26, 2021 and confessed to driving the vehicle, however denied stealing or burning the car.
Ms Coley told the court it was the prosecution’s submission that Townsend was to be sentenced as a principal in each offence.
Gardner and Taylor, 20, were previously convicted in the Toowoomba District Court, where it was found they were “vulnerable to the influence of others” and were lured into the offence.
They were each given two years probation with no convictions recorded.
Townsend’s barrister Nathan Edridge said his client had a “deprived background” and in the past had undergone therapy for childhood abuse.
Townsend had been diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress and drug dependence, and was no longer seeing a psychologist, but had a prescription for cannabis.
Mr Edridge recommended a probationary period would be more beneficial for his client during his rehabilitation from methamphetamines, and a sentence of imprisonment “would compromise his rehabilitation”.
Judge Michael Williamson KC told Townsend while he entered a late plea “at the 11th hour”, it was a plea none the less and would be taken into consideration.
On the count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, Townsend was sentenced to three months imprisonment.
Townsend was also charged with two years imprisonment to be served concurrently for the charge of arson, with immediate parole given.
Judge Williamson also ordered Townsend pay restitution of $5500, which was referred to SPER.
“A really good way to contribute to the community in a positive way is by working hard … apply yourself and working hard,” Judge Williamson said.