Amber Ray Hollis in court for setting fire to wrecking yard

A Gladstone woman who torched her ex-partner’s Fraser Coast property in a jealous and drunken rage has escaped actual jail time.

Amber Ray Hollis, 47, pleaded guilty to one charge of arson in Maryborough District Court on Monday morning.

A Gladstone woman who burnt down her ex-partner‘s Maryborough property while drunk has escaped actual jail time after pleading guilty to arson.

Amber Ray Hollis, 47, was sentenced in the Maryborough District Court on Monday morning.

The court heard on January 11, 2022, Hollis became enraged with the thought her ex-partner could “be with others” when she was unable to get in contact with him.

The anger combined with heavy alcohol use led to her setting the Kent St wrecking yard - where they both also lived at the time - on fire.

The property was destroyed in the blaze.

Amber Ray Hollis has been sentenced in the Hervey Bay District Court for setting the Kent St wreckers yard on fire on January 12, 2022. PHOTO: Ruby Sharp

Firefighters battling blaze in Kent Street, Maryborough

The court heard the victim was unable to sell the property due to the damage, and that it cost $42,000 to have the remains demolished.

Hollis’s lawyer told the court his client lived a productive life for many years before a back injury led to a breakdown of the relationship and subsequent alcohol addiction.

He told the court the house in the wrecking yard was a “rundown and dilapidated property” and that neighbouring properties were unharmed in the blaze.

The Kent St wreckers yard in Maryborough was “gutted” and cost $42,000 to demolish. PHOTO: Robyne Cuerel

Judge Michael Byrne told Hollis it was a serious offence to set things on fire, and her downfall was caused by alcohol dependence.

He sentenced her to two years jail but released her on parole immediately.

A conviction was recorded.