Quinton Cabral admits to being high on meth when he tried to set Marion Rd petrol station on fire

A man was high on meth when he tried to set fire to an Adelaide petrol station – after someone threatened to “pull out” his teeth.

A methed-up father of six thought someone was chasing him when he tried to set a petrol station alight, after receiving threatening messages from the partner of a woman he was messaging, a court has heard.

On Monday, Quinton Cabral, 45, appeared in the District Court for sentencing submissions, which heard he was trying to frighten people after someone had threatened to “pull out” his teeth.

“His intent was to make the individuals believe he was dangerous and that he was going to light (the petrol station on fire),” counsel for Cabral said.

The Glenelg man was arrested in September 2024 after deliberately driving into a petrol station pump on Marion Rd, before lighting paper towels on fire and yelling “I’ll burn it down”.

On the night of the offending, Cabral had smoked 0.1g of meth, the court heard, which he was using as a “crutch” while sleeping in his car after his ex threw him out of their Glenelg apartment.

He had been messaging a woman, but on the day prior to the offending received threatening messages.

Quinton Cabral deliberately drove into the petrol bowser and attempted to set it alight with burning toilet paper at the pump. Picture: 7NEWS

“Mr Cabral received messages to the effect of ‘oi, why are you messaging my missus? I am going to drag you at the back of my Harley and pull your teeth out’,” defence counsel said.

“Mr Cabral was smoking ice and he started feeling quite nervous, scared and paranoid about his safety.”

The court heard on the night of the offending an item had been thrown at his car, and a passenger in a nearby car was screaming, which made Cabral “fear the worst”.

Counsel for Cabral said he “noticed a car following him” and tried to lose it, eventually driving into the Marion Rd petrol station, hitting the bowser.

Cabral pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted arson of a building or motor vehicle, damage building or motor vehicle and aggravated driving without due care.

Prosecutors said it was mostly “good fortune” no fuel was spilt in the crash.

“The fire officer who attended and inspected the scene and formed the opinion there was a high potential for fire igniting from multiple sources,” prosecutors said.

“The fact that the fire did not ignite was in my submission a matter of good fortune and perhaps poor execution, rather than a lack of intent to set the fuel bowser, and ultimately the petrol station, alight.”

Defence submitted Cabral had attempted to make calls to the police, but his phone had died.

Prosecutors said they were not aware of the calls, and Judge Barnett requested screenshots of call logs be provided prior to sentence.

Cabral was remanded on continuing home detention bail to face sentencing in August