Simon Matthew Johnson jailed for four years for setting fire to trailer and car

A chef who was kicked out by his housemate on the belief he was sleeping with his partner exacted his revenge before causing $20k damages in another arson attack on his ex.

A chef is behind bars after he resorted to extreme measures to deal with his anger, including setting fire to his housemate’s trailer and a car outside his ex’s house.

A judge had stern words for Simon Matthew Johnson, 45, to get his life together after it spiralled into crime to fund his drug addiction.

The Port Augusta District Court heard the first victim, James Wood allowed Johnson to stay at his Whyalla house in exchange for a vehicle.

“After about two weeks Mr Wood told you to leave as he believed you were sleeping with his partner,” Judge Michael Durrant said during sentencing.

The court heard Mr Wood heard someone knock at his door on April 22, and when he opened it he saw his trailer on fire and Johnson standing in the driveway.

Johnson began hitting Mr Wood with a tennis racquet multiple times on his arm and with such force the racquet broke.

“You then began stabbing him with the broken handle,” Judge Durrant said.

Mr Wood’s partner came outside and Johnson struck her with a fishing rod.

The court heard Johnson went over to his former partner’s house on May 3, 2022 and told her he was there to fix a problem with his car, which was parked out the front.

“Shortly after you applied clear liquid into the back of the car and under the bonnet and the car went up in flames,” Judge Durrant said.

The fire spread to the roof of the house and the external frame of the wooden porch and the gutters of the house were charred.

“It was fortunate no-one was physically harmed and that the fire did not spread further, including to neighbouring properties,” he said.

The damage totalled $22,860.

Simon Johnson was jailed for multiple offences, including arson. Photo: Facebook

Johnson, of Port Augusta, pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including arson, assault and damaging property.

The court heard Johnson enlisted in the navy at 17 and had worked as a qualified chef at various hotels and resorts.

“After discharge from the navy you were in a car accident and became addicted to opioids prescribed for pain management,” Judge Durrant said.

“Your life spiralled and you engaged in petty crime to fund your addiction.”

The court heard Johnson was using up to 200 mg a day of opioids but now had his addiction under control.

Judge Durrant said while he accepted Johnson was remorseful for the offending he was “very guarded” about his prospects of rehabilitation.

He sentenced Johnson to four years jail, with a non-parole period of two years and four months.

“This offending represents a significant and worrying escalation in your criminal behaviour and a particular disregard for community safety,” Judge Durrant said.

“At 45 years of age you have much work ahead of you to achieve abstinence from drugs and to live a law-abiding life.”

The sentence was backdated to May 3, 2022.