West flat house fire results in two-year jail sentence

A woman who had jumped out a second storey window told police her roommate had been arguing with a man who also lived in the building and claimed Smallboy had lit a blanket on fire in the stairwell area. She did not however see him actually start the fire, but stated when she exited her unit, he was the only one standing there.

She also told police Smallboy had been doing a lot of drugs and was paranoid.

A view of the second storey. (NIgel Maxwell/ panNOW Staff)

According to Crown Prosecutor Doug Howell, the rental property was a total loss and, despite calls for Smallboy to pay restitution, stated he would not be asking for that as the 38-year-old would have no means to pay.

When interviewed by police, Smallboy was asked if he set the house on fire.

“I don’t how to answer that,” he replied.

Smallboy also confided he had been smoking a cigarette, and felt that while pacing back and forth, the embers may have lit a mattress on fire that was in the stairwell area.

Smallboy does not have a criminal record.

His lawyer Brian Pfefferle noted that up until recently Smallboy had been a productive member of the community and was employed but battled with addiction.

Pfefferle also noted had the case gone to trial, the Crown’s case would have been challenged by the fact there were no witnesses.

When provided the opportunity to comment, Smallboy declined.

Following his custodial sentence, Smallboy will be on probation for a period of one year and the conditions include addictions programming.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Ma

West flat house fire results in two-year jail sentence

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