Woman awaits sentencing after arson proved

A FORMER childcare worker from Broadbeach set fire to a Miami unit after an altercation with her former partner and his housemate, a jury has determined.

Carla Maree Monaghan’s defence team could not convince a jury of eight women and four men that an electrical fault was potentially to blame for the fire at Nobby’s Outlook Resort on October 26, 2016.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on a charge of arson yesterday, the fourth day of a Southport District Court trial.

The jury were sent out for deliberations on Friday afternoon.

Monaghan – who sat quietly in the dock revealing little emotion throughout the trial – was sent behind bars to await sentencing in the court on May 2.

During the trial, Monaghan’s ex-partner Dale Stokes said he watched the former nanny bite housemate Matt Evans on the cheek during an argument before the men left to seek medical help and to visit a nearby pub.

Mr Evans said he heard about an hour later that the trio’s unit was alight.

Crown prosecutor Michael Mitchell called on neighbours, police officers and expert witnesses, including Queensland Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency investigators, during the trial.

The neighbours gave evidence indicating Monaghan had been alone in the unit before the fire started.

It’s still not known how Monaghan set fire to the unit.

Arson can attract a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment in Queensland.