Kilkivan man denied bail after burning ex’s horse gear during fire ban
A Gympie council worker man faces multiple charges after allegedly destroying his camp-drafting ex-partner's cherished horse gear in a vengeful fire during dangerous conditions.
A Kilkivan man has applied for bail after an alleged offence the prosecutor described as “absolutely terrible”.
Jason Clive Ackers, 58, appeared at Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday from behind bars after being charged with setting fire to his former partner’s personal property, which the court heard she was “very personally” attached to, and while the region was subject to a total fire ban.
About two months after the relationship ended, police prosecutor Mel Campbell said Mr Ackers, originally from Tasmania, intentionally set his former partner’s horse gear on fire in Kilkivan to “deliberately hurt her”.
“It’s not just personal property, it’s something that is very personal (to her) … and he did it while our community is under a total fire ban,” Sergeant Campbell said.
Mr Ackers’ former partner is a camp draft competitor and equine enthusiast.
Sergeant Campbell objected to Mr Ackers’ bail application on the grounds that he “allegedly committed absolutely terrible offences”, with a history of previous assault convictions and “has already been sentenced in Tasmania for periods of imprisonment”.
“He knew what would happen if he (behaved) in this sort of manner, and just made the decision to go ahead and do it.”
The court heard Mr Ackers works for Gympie Regional Council as a plant operator.
Mr Ackers was charged with wilful damage and drink driving on October 25, and unlawful possession on October 26 this year.
Magistrate Bevan Hughes denied his bail application on the grounds of previous criminal convictions and a history of disobeying court orders, and remanded Mr Ackers to appear at Gympie Magistrates Court on December 8 for mention.
