A garage, and two vehicles, were consumed in a fire May 31, 2019. (Facebook/ Devin Dubois)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fire investigation

‘He was hearing voices’: arsonist receives 15-month jail sentence

Dec 22, 2020 | 1:59 PM

The man responsible for setting a number of fires in Prince Albert’s west flat neighbourhood last spring, has received a 15-month jail sentence.

Jared Custer, 24, appeared via video Monday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court and entered guilty pleas to a number of property-related crimes.

The incidents occurred between May 18 and June 10, and involved vacant homes, sheds, detached garages, and vehicles. Fortunately no one was hurt. Two of the fires were set on the same day at vacant structures in the 900 block of 18th St. W

These properties, owned by the same landlord, were targetted by Custer on May 18. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Gail Douglas, while police were at the scene the next morning, Custer approached from a nearby back alley, and told the officers he “left some stuff in the yard.”

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Legal aid lawyer Jock Kriegler explained Custer was suffering from depression at the time of the incidents, brought on by a recent breakup and an inability to find work, and was using crystal meth as a means to escape reality.

“The reality he was in was dark and depressing,” Kriegler said.

Prior to the fires last spring, Kriegler explained Custer had no prior “firebug behavior” but added Custer was suffering from hallucinations.

“He was hearing voices that were telling him to engage in these arson tendencies,” Kriegler said.

A detached garage at a residence near Queen Mary Public School, was targetted by Custer on May 19. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

When given the opportunity to speak in court, Custer apologized for the damage and emotional pain he caused.

“I’m remorseful and I regret doing those things,” he said.

Prior to agreeing to the joint submission presented to him by the Crown and defence lawyers, Judge Kalenith noted it was very fortunate the fires did not spread to any nearby inhabited homes. Kalenith also said he took into account Custer’s guilty plea, lack of a criminal record, and personal circumstances.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that addictions are involved in many cases before the courts,” he said.

Custer received 299 days credit for time spent in remand, and is prohibited from owning or using any type of gun for 10 years. Upon his release from custody, Custer will be on probation for 30 months.

The amount of restitution to be paid is still being investigated. The findings of the report will be presented to a judge on Jan. 26.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

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