Vincenzo Martino jailed for firebombing car at Happy Valley over drug debt

A drug dealer who hired someone to throw Molotov cocktails at a car sent them to the wrong house instead targeting an innocent resident living in the same neighbourhood.

An aspiring builder who hired someone to firebomb a car but sent them to the wrong address ended up targeting an innocent resident.

Vincenzo Martino, 34, hopes to be a good role model for his son once released from jail, after he was lucky not to cause significant damage with his fear tactics.

The Adelaide District Court heard Martino, who was storing drugs at his house in return for drugs or compensation, was chasing a debt.

“You believed, mistakenly, that the debtor lived at a particular address and you arranged for another individual to drive past and fire bomb any vehicle that was in the driveway,” Judge Joanne Tracey said during sentencing.

A Happy Valley resident was woken up by a loud explosion on September 5, 2020 and saw flames close to where his car was parked.

He used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames and called police.

Police found remnants of two Molotov cocktails.

Fortunately, the victim’s car and house didn’t sustain any significant damage.

“It was the case that the actual debtor lived at another address nearby,” Judge Tracey said.

“No doubt the occupier of the house that you mistakenly targeted would have felt in fear and, likely, has experienced ongoing anxiety.”

Vincenzo Martino was jailed for firebombing a car at Happy Valley over a drug debt. Picture: File

Martino, of Paralowie, pleaded guilty to attempted arson.

The court heard Martino was sentenced in June last year to two years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of 18-months for drug trafficking.

The court heard Martino, who was addicted to cocaine, hopes to become a small scale property developer once released from jail.

“You say that you have reflected on your past and are avoiding former negative peers,” Judge Tracey said.

“You say you wish to be a good role model for your young son.”

The court heard Martino is participating in drug counselling and is remorseful for his actions.

“You created a significant risk to other people and, of course, to property,” Judge Tracey said.

“It is only by good fortune that no harm was suffered by anyone living at the premises or anyone nearby or to any property.”

Adding on Martino’s previous sentence, Judge Tracey sentenced him to six years and one month jail, with a non-parole period of 33-months.

The sentence was backdated to September 24, 2020.