Tony
12-12-2007, 05:57 AM
Jealous arsonist jailed for 24 1/2 years
Wednesday Dec 12 15:26 AEDT
A man who lit a house fire in a jealous rage, killing three people including his own son and former partner, has been jailed for almost 25 years.
Errol Graham Hayes, 40, was sentenced on Wednesday after being found guilty last week of three charges of murder and one of arson.
Supreme Court Justice Ken Mackenzie described the calculated killings as "beyond comprehension" before sentencing Hayes to a sentence of life imprisonment for each of the murders.
Justice Mackenzie ordered Hayes, who has been labelled a serious violent offender, serve at least 24 and a half years before he is eligible for parole.
During the trial the Brisbane court was told Hayes, a regular drug user, set fire to a wooden Queenslander-style house in the southern Brisbane suburb of Annerley in the early hours of February 20.
Hayes' 18-month-old son Joshua and former partner Theresa Dominique Marchetti perished in the blaze as it destroyed the wooden home.
A third occupant of the house, Mark Stewart Christensen, 39, also died during the fire.
The court was told Hayes had started the fire in a jealous rage because he suspected Ms Marchetti had been unfaithful with Mr Christensen.
Prosecutor Ross Martin SC told the court Hayes and Ms Marchetti had been arguing constantly in the week before the fire.
During one argument Mr Martin said Hayes had told Ms Marchetti that she would "burn alive".
A witness testified Hayes had later made his way to the house where the trio was sleeping and lit the fire.
The witness told the court Hayes had later said he only meant to start a small blaze that would frighten Ms Marchetti and Mr Christensen.
Wednesday Dec 12 15:26 AEDT
A man who lit a house fire in a jealous rage, killing three people including his own son and former partner, has been jailed for almost 25 years.
Errol Graham Hayes, 40, was sentenced on Wednesday after being found guilty last week of three charges of murder and one of arson.
Supreme Court Justice Ken Mackenzie described the calculated killings as "beyond comprehension" before sentencing Hayes to a sentence of life imprisonment for each of the murders.
Justice Mackenzie ordered Hayes, who has been labelled a serious violent offender, serve at least 24 and a half years before he is eligible for parole.
During the trial the Brisbane court was told Hayes, a regular drug user, set fire to a wooden Queenslander-style house in the southern Brisbane suburb of Annerley in the early hours of February 20.
Hayes' 18-month-old son Joshua and former partner Theresa Dominique Marchetti perished in the blaze as it destroyed the wooden home.
A third occupant of the house, Mark Stewart Christensen, 39, also died during the fire.
The court was told Hayes had started the fire in a jealous rage because he suspected Ms Marchetti had been unfaithful with Mr Christensen.
Prosecutor Ross Martin SC told the court Hayes and Ms Marchetti had been arguing constantly in the week before the fire.
During one argument Mr Martin said Hayes had told Ms Marchetti that she would "burn alive".
A witness testified Hayes had later made his way to the house where the trio was sleeping and lit the fire.
The witness told the court Hayes had later said he only meant to start a small blaze that would frighten Ms Marchetti and Mr Christensen.