Firebug handed jail time

A MAN who set fire to a solicitor’s office after being discharged from the Townsville Watch-house has been sentenced to two years’ jail.

Cameron Punch pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court yesterday to endangering particular property by fire, unlawfully entering a premises and breaking and entering with intent.

The court was told the defendant had drunk a four-litre cask of wine the day before his offending and was taken to the Townsville Watch-house after he was found carrying the remnants of the wine in a bottle.

Upon release from the watch-house the following morning on June 12 last year, Punch walked to St James Place in the Townsville CBD and smashed the glass entry of a solicitor’s office on the third floor. While opening the door,

Punch cut himself and across the office.

Crown Prosecutor Monique Sheppard said Punch gathered law books and stationery and placed the items on the balcony and set them on fire.

He threw furniture and items on the fire after it was lit.

The 48-year-old was arrested by police after being transported to the Townsville University Hospital.

Defence barrister Kelly Stone told the court the defendant was educated to a Grade 6 level and had struggled with an alcohol problem.

Judge Brad Farr said he took into account Punch’s early plea of guilty. Punch was sentenced to 12 months’ jail for count one and two and two years’ jail for count three, to be served concurrently.

He was granted immediate parole after spending nineand-a-half months in pre-sentence custody. bled