Pozieres arsonist jailed for burning down rental home
WHEN a Pozieres man was told he had to move out of the rental property he had called home for almost a decade, he became so enraged he burnt it to the ground.
Vitak George Jesiolowski this week pleaded guilty in Warwick District Court to one count of arson.
The 66-year-old man set the house alight on January 27 last year, after being told he had six weeks to find a new home.
Crown Prosecutor Melanie Franklin said the house had been completely destroyed before the fire brigade arrived on scene.
Ms Franklin said the owner told Jesiolowski he had to vacate as they needed the house to accommodate seasonal workers.
“He was told six weeks prior, on December 17, that he had to leave by the end of January,” she said.
“He did not think it was fair, that he had done a lot of work but he had been living there rent-free.”
When the fire was noticed by witnesses, there was concern Jesiolowski was still inside.
“It was then discovered his car was not there,” Ms Franklin said.
“Police located him that afternoon and he admitted (starting the fire) to the police and other people.”
Ms Franklin said Jesiolowski poured diesel throughout the house and lit the gas stove, leaving it to burn.
“He had been brewing on it for six weeks – there was no remorse, I would consider it premeditated.
Defence barrister Mark Johnson said it was out of character for his client.
“He said he had a ‘mind snap’,” Mr Johnson said.
Jesiolowski, who had already spend 164 days in police custody, was sentenced to three years’ jail but will be released on parole on July 31.
