Kit James Paszula sentenced in Dalby District Court for causing grievous bodily harm to best friend

A former volunteer firefighter who claimed he accidentally set his best friend on fire, which caused him “significant” burns, has fronted court following the “grossly negligent” act. See what happened here.

A man who set his friend’s leg on fire in a shocking act of recklessness while the pair had been drinking around a campfire has fronted court following the drunken act.

Kit James Paszula appeared in Dalby District Court on July 10, with his partner and friend from the Salvation Army sitting in the back of the courtroom in support.

The court was told on that on a date unknown between May 2020 and June 2020, the former volunteer firey and his best friend went on a camping trip at Ducklo where they were drinking around a campfire and decided to do what Paszula referred to in his original police statement as ‘make the fire dance’.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren cited that the 25-year-old Jandowae man retrieved a can of degreaser from the car and used the fluid to cause the campfire to follow its track before pouring it towards his best friend.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins told the court that some of the fluid wound up on the victim’s pants.

“It caught fire, and it caused significant injuries,” Mr Wilkins said.

“They were quite significant burns to his leg and foot. To add further stupidity the complainant popped his own blisters.”

The court was told the victim didn’t go to hospital until days after the burns.

Kit James Paszula was sentenced at Dalby District Court on July 10, 2023 for one count of causing grievous bodily harm. Picture: Facebook

“(The victim) underwent a skin graft, the burns covered 3 per cent of his body and he remained in hospital for two weeks,” Mr Wilkins said.

“The level of negligence and stupidity in this matter is quite high especially with someone so familiar with fires. It was reckless and stupid.”

Defence barrister Frank Martin said that a complaint wasn’t made to police until almost two years after the burns were caused, due to a falling-out between the friends over a car sale.

“My client immediately apologised to the complainant, and when there was a complaint made after the falling out he admitted to the acts and the stupidity,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin shed light on Paszula’s history with the rural fire brigade and revealed in 2016 the man was “hailed a hero” for starting first aid on a co-worker who suffered from a heart attack while driving the RFS appliance west of Dalby.

The court was told since the incident Paszula’s Blue Card was revoked which forced him out of the fire brigade.

The man pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ jail, wholly suspended for two years.