Corbin Lange Bateman sentenced at Dalby District Court for setting Western Downs couple’s truck on fire

A Western Downs court has been told a drug dealer caused more than $100,000 in damage when he set a couple’s truck on fire, completely destroying the work vehicle resulting in life-changing ramifications.

A man who was almost a year into probation when he committed a string of drug offences and lit a Western Downs couple’s truck on fire has fronted court once again for his reckless crimes.

Corbin Lange Bateman appeared via videolink at Dalby District Court on July 19 after he was busted offering to sell drugs to people and setting a prime mover on fire then leaving it on the side of the road.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins told the court that on February 20 the 23-year-old used a lighter to set the chairs in a truck on fire and left it to completely burn on the Warrego Highway at Miles.

“(The truck) was initially stolen, it’s alleged he was driving it before it broke down,” Mr Wilkins said.

“Instead of just leaving it he decided to light the seats on fire, engulfing the entire thing and destroying it.”

When Mr Wilkins told the court it was unsure at the time why the Western Downs man set the car on fire, Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC said “the usual answer is to destroy fingerprints”.

Mr Wilkins submitted a victim impact statement to the court which outlined the life-changing ramifications the arson offence had on the victim and their family.

“They are now out of pocket between $118,000 and $120,000,” he said.

“It’s had a crippling impact on her husband and their business.”

Mr Wilkins also told the court that during a search warrant, authorities discovered six drug supply attempts on the man’s phone, who had offered to sell meth and marijuana to people between May 17, 2022 and June 28, 2022 and three actual drug supply instances.

The Western Downs man was 11 months into serving a previous sentence of 12 months’ jail wholly suspended for 18 months after he was charged for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing at the time of the latest offences.

Defence barrister Frank Martin said Bateman’s own car had broken down which is why he took the truck before dumping it and setting it on fire.

He also said he believed the total price was closer to $100,000 and that Bateman wished to get the matter “over and done with”.

Mr Horneman-Wren said that despite the debate over the actual money the victim’s are now out of pocket, it was a significant loss.

“The financial impact on the owner’s of the car is greater because it has deprived them of income which they would have otherwise eared by using it,” he said.

“This was a very valuable vehicle and central to the livelihood of other people, and when it had no use to you, you destroyed it.”

Bateman pleaded guilty to one count of arson and nine counts of drug supply charges.

He was sentenced to three years’ jail, with 83 days of time spent in pre-sentence custody declared as time served.

His parole release date is January 25, 2024.