No more jail time for arsonist who harmed dogs in suicide attempt

Setting his own home on fire, which required emergency treatment for his dogs, has landed a Calgary man the equivalent of a five-year prison term.

But provincial court Judge Susan Pepper on Tuesday agreed with Crown and defence lawyers that Kevin Joseph Nault has already served that time.

Both prosecutor Blair Brandon and defence counsel Robin Mcintyre said between time served before Nault’s first trial and custody he did after his first conviction in 2017, the offender has done enough time.

Nault was sentenced to five years at that time, but the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial.

Earlier this month, Pepper came to the same conclusion the trial judge did three years ago that Nault was guilty of two arson-related charges, two firearms offences and two animal-cruelty charges.

And she agreed the appropriate sentence for Nault was a five-year term.

But Pepper denied Brandon’s bid for a five-year ban against the offender owning pets, finding he hadn’t intentionally harmed his dogs.

Mcintyre said Nault hasn’t owned an animal since his June 2015 crimes and is currently financially unable to own a pet.

Firefighters responding to the fire at Nault’s 24th Street N.E. home found him in the basement and his two dogs in an upstairs room.

After he was rescued, firefighters had to supply the animals with oxygen before they were taken to a vet.

“Up until that point these dogs were clearly cared for,” Mcintyre said.

Pepper found Nault started seven separate fires in his home by setting gasoline ablaze, after drinking and taking 276 sleeping pills because he was despondent and suicidal over the breakup of his relationship.