A man who intentionally lit two fires on the New South Wales South Coast last year has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Scott McArthur, 41, showed no remorse for lighting the fires in September, which could have burned directly into homes backing into bushland at west Nowra.
At the time, large fires were burning in northern NSW.
Two months later the South Coast region also experienced catastrophic bushfires.
A witness said she saw McArthur lighting the fires on September 14.
She had seen him bending down, she said, and then saw flames and smoke.
She confronted McArthur, but he ran away.
The fires burned through more than 100 square metres of bushland before firefighters were able to bring them under control.
McArthur was caught that day and admitted to police what he had done.
'Serious misconduct'
Speaking from Bathurst Prison via audio visual link, McArthur told the Nowra District Court that he had been homeless at the time and lit the fires for cooking.
He said once they got out control he "freaked out" and ran.
He also said he was an alcoholic and did not remember the exact details of the day.
He then told the court he wanted to remain in custody, but he did not elaborate why.
McArthur’s lawyer argued there was no accelerant used to light the fires and that made the offences objectively less serious.
But in sentencing, Judge Stephen Norrish said the offences did amount to serious misconduct, given the dry conditions and fires burning further north at that time.
His honour said it showed increased recklessness.
Judge Norris also took into account that they were lit within metres of residential housing.
He noted there was no indication McArthur showed symptoms of pyromania or that he had gained anything from lighting them that would indicate a psychiatric illness.
McArthur was sentenced to seven years in prison.
He will be eligible for parole in 2024.
