An arsonist who caused $100,000 of damage after setting his government flat alight has been jailed for three years.
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Andrew Gerald Haigh, 42, was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court on Friday after pleading guilty to recklessly damaging a building by fire.
The court heard Haigh had become agitated after his wallet and some CDs were stolen from his Stuart Flats unit in January.
He then told a number of neighbours and his sister that he would “burn my flat to the f------ ground”.
Emergency services arrived in Griffith about 1.20am on January 11 to discover the ground floor unit alight.
The fire was extinguished before it could spread to adjoining homes, but the unit was destroyed.
The court heard the damage bill totaled about $100,000.
Haigh was arrested at Canberra Hospital about 11am after his lawyer contacted police to negotiate his surrender.
The offender pleaded guilty to the arson after a psychiatrist found he was fit to stand trial.
Justice John Nield noted Haigh had a long history of drug abuse and mental health issues.
The court heard he began using alcohol and cannabis at age 13, amphetamines at 17, heroine at 21 and cocaine at 30.
He suffered depression and had been hospitalised a number of times due to psychotic episodes.
The court heard he had used methamphetamine before the incident and was still under the influence of the drug when he lit the fire.
Justice Nield noted Haigh had 59 previous convictions and outstanding warrants in NSW and Queensland.
Justice Nield was also asked to take into account a shoplifting charge while sentencing.
Haigh was arrested on Christmas Eve last year after he attempted to steal a pair of tracksuit pants from David Jones in Woden.
The judge jailed the father-of-four for three years, backdated to take into account time spent in custody, with a non-parole period of 18 months.
He will be eligible for parole in July 10, 2014.