Jason Quinton, 44, faced the County Court of Victoria sitting at Ballarat on Friday, September 22 where he admitted to one charge of arson. 

Court documents obtained by The Courier show that Quinton deliberately lit a fire that destroyed a Dover Street unit Quinton was living in and damaged two others. 

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The court head that one of Quinton’s of neighbours heard Quinton smashing around and yelling in his unit at about 5pm but did not think much of the noise as he was used to this kind of behaviour from his neighbour. 

At about 6pm the same night, Quinton knocked on his neighbour’s  door and told him “I have lit a fire, get out.”

Documents show another neighbour observed Quinton behaving erratically in the street and yelling “I lit it, I lit it, the firies are here, there firies are here. It looks pretty.”

Firefighters had the fire at the unit under control quickly but soon realised the unit occupied by Quinton was completely destroyed and the neighbouring units damaged by smoke. 

Quinton was taken into custody and taken to the Ballarat Police Station later the same night but police were unable to interview him.

Quinton’s lawyer told the Crown prosecutor that Quinton had picked up a pair of tracksuit pants from an open suitcase in his bedroom and set them alight before dropping them back into the suitcase. 

Quinton then left the room for five minutes before returning to find the fire had spread to the double bed as well as the walls and ceiling of the bedroom. 

It is believed the fire caused approximately $250,000 of damage to the three affected units. 

Quinton has been held in custody since his arrest on February 6, and his lawyer told the court he has been working as a kitchen hand in prison. 

The court also heard he has become more aware of the difficulties he faces managing mental illness and the dangers associated with illicit drug use. 

During considerations Judge Montgomery said Quinton has obviously faced some hard times. 

“He put people at risk and it was almost negligent what he has done but he is clearly a man with lots of difficulties,” he said. 

Judge Montgomery has allowed two weeks for an extended assessment of Quinton’s eligibility for a community corrections order which will be considered at a further plea hearing on Friday, October 13.