Austin Redhead was sentenced on Wednesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

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A man who set fire to multiple vehicles and also threw a lit gas can at his ex-girlfriend’s parents, has received an 18-month jail sentence.

Austin Redhead, 30, appeared Wednesday at provincial court in Prince Albert. Guilty pleas were entered to a number of charges related to both assault with a weapon and destruction of property.

The case dates back to November 25.

At 5:18 p.m., police were first contacted by the Prince Albert Fire Department (PAFD) with a report of a vehicle fire in the 600 block of 18 Street West. When officers arrived, they found one vehicle on fire and another with fire damage.

The investigation determined the fire was man-made and a description of Redhead was provided as he was known to the people who lived at the house.

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Less than 10 minutes later, Redhead went to a house in the city’s West Flat and, while attempting to light a truck on fire, was confronted by the owner

Following a brief struggle with the older man, Redhead set fire to a gas can and threw it at both the man and his wife, who were now standing near the front gate.

This aerosol can was left in the snow near the couple’s gate. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

With at least one child watching from inside the house and the mother also standing nearby, both the man and the woman were briefly set on fire. They however managed to escape serious injury by rolling in the snow and discarding some of their clothes.

Before driving away, Redhead proceeded to ram the man’s vehicle multiple times.

Later that evening, he drove to the police station and turned himself in.

Noting a history of mental health-related issues and a past negative relationship with the ex-girlfriend, Redhead’s lawyer Chris Koban said his client ‘simply snapped” and that his actions were very much out of character for him. It was also noted Redhead had no prior criminal record.

When provided the opportunity to speak, he apologized for the pain and harm he caused the victims.

Following his release from jail, he will be on probation for 18 months and for the first six months will be subject to a curfew.

He is also not allowed to have any contact with the victims, and must pay restitution to the man in the form of $700. (SGI deductible).

Wednesday’s sentence represented a joint submission from lawyers, and was accepted by Judge Harradence who appeared visually disturbed by the facts of the case.

“Hopefully this is a one-off and never happens again,” he said.

Acknowledging the victims who sat in the courtroom, Harradence explained he is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada, and when deciding on an appropriate sentence, must consider both the gravity of the offences and moral blame-worthiness.

He also stated the joint submissions were presented by very good lawyers engaged in a great deal of discussion and thoroughly studied the file.

“You are innocent victims and it’s most unfortunate,” he said.

When paNOW previously talked to one of the burn victims, family members confirmed they were very shaken up over what happened and scared. In the house were three young children, and one of them called 9-1-1.

Outside the courthouse on Wednesday, they said justice was not served. They also expressed their frustration over not being allowed to speak openly in court to share the impact the incidents had on them and the young children.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell