A man who caused millions of dollars in damage when he set fire to a factory in the hope of getting an insurance payout has been sentenced to eight years in jail.
More than 100 firefighters and 24 trucks fought the blaze started by Scott Gregory Stirling, 41, at his wife's car repair premises in the Brisbane suburb of Virginia on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
It tore through another four businesses, causing about $5.5 million of damage in total.
Crown prosecutor Brendan White said the offence was one of the worst examples of arson because of the damage caused and the risk to lives, including those of the firefighters.
"He (Stirling) set fire to this building while it was occupied by his unsuspecting wife," Mr White told the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday.
He said CCTV footage showed the couple coming out of the premises together about 25 seconds before the camera is obscured by smoke.
"(Firefighters) placed themselves at significant risk pushing back flames to keep this fire from spreading," Mr White added.
"That's why, in our submission, it is a shockingly selfish and callous disregard for the safety of others and the economic consequences of his actions."
The crime was financially motivated with Stirling's wife expected to receive a payout from insurers, Judge Orazio Rinaudo said.
"There were substantial debts owing, particularly to the tax department," he added.
Judge Rinaudo agreed people's lives were in danger, but not to the extent described by the prosecutor.
In sentencing Stirling, Judge Rinaudo said he was a person of good character who had no criminal history.
He also had the arson charges hanging over his head for three years while on fairly arduous bail conditions.
Stirling denied the arson charge and four counts of endangering a property by fire, but was found guilty during a jury trial.
He will be eligible for parole on May 1, 2024.
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