Matthew Aicken jailed for shocking Seaton arson attack

An “evil” man was high on meth when he set fire to a sleeping stranger’s house in revenge for the man cutting his accomplice off in traffic. Watch the shocking attack.

A father-of-four who targeted strangers in a shocking arson attack, forcing them to flee for their lives, will be deported once released from jail.

Matthew Alan John Aicken, 41, and his accomplice Antonio Votino caused $130,000 in damages during the revenge-fuelled crime.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Aicken and Votino brought jerry cans of petrol to a Seaton house on June 10, 2018 at 1am and poured it over three cars and the front porch.

“Your co-accused believed the occupant to be responsible for cutting him off when driving the previous day and for following him when driving on other occasions,” Judge Jane Schammer said.

The court heard the duo then used a portable blow torch to light the fire.

Antonio Votino pouring petrol on to the cars. Photo: Courts SA

Matthew Aicken and Antonio Votino flee after setting the fires. Photo: Courts SA

The man and his girlfriend were woken by the sound of the cars and front of the house burning.

They tried to escape through the front door but found it covered in flames and were forced to flee through the back door.

Matthew Aicken and Antonio Votino set three cars and a house alight. Photo: Courts SA

The court heard the three cars were completely destroyed, as well as the front wall and garage of the house, estimating $130,000 in damages.

Aicken was arrested and police found over 4g of methamphetamine in his car – which he was jailed last year for two years and four months, with a non-parole period of 17 months.

The Moana father-of-four pleaded guilty to four counts of arson and possessing stolen firearms, which he had because he owed a drug debt and his family had been threatened.

Matthew Aicken. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Matthew Aicken who was on home detention bail for his offending ended up absconding Picture: Facebook

The court heard Aicken hadn’t slept for weeks in the lead up to the offending and was heavily under the influence of methamphetamine and fantasy. 

A victim impact statement was read to the District Court on in September, with the victim saying he now suffers nightmares because of the “evil men”.

“I live in constant fear and anxiety of being burnt alive or even killed in my home,” the man said.

“Their malicious actions were extremely dangerous and this is something I will not forget, nor would I wish on anyone.”

Votino was sentenced in 2019 to three years and 25 days in prison with a non-parole period of two years, five months and three days for the arson.

The court heard Aicken, who had previously worked as a labourer, would be deported back to New Zealand once released from custody.

Adding on the sentence Aicken is currently serving, Judge Schammer sentenced him to eight years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of five years.

“The arson was clearly premeditated and well thought out, notwithstanding your claim to be heavily under the influence of drugs at the time,” she said.

“You must have understood the potential for significant property damage and of the very real prospect that there were people in the house that night.”

The sentence was backdated to July 6, 2021.