Sarina man Mark David Crossan jailed for harassment, arson

A Sarina man torched his ex’s car, sent threatening messages, and ignored police warnings in a drug-fuelled meltdown. Now he’s learned his fate.

A Sarina man who had a melt down and harassed his ex partner, going as far as to torch her car, learned his fate.

A Sarina man who had a meltdown and harassed his ex-partner going as far as to torch her car has learned his fate.

Mark David Crossan, 42, began messaging his ex-partner on March 25, 2024, roughly a month after she broke up with him and asked him not to contact her.

The next day she received more than 109 messages, including threats to kill her culminating in his calling her and threatening her over the phone.

The victim called police who arrested him, taking him to the Mackay watch house on March 26 where he spent the night and was released the next morning with police putting a protection order in place.

Mark David Crossan, 42, began messaging his ex-partner on March 25, 2024, roughly a month after she broke up with him and asked him not to contact her. - istock

Ignoring the order, he went to Sarina on March 27, stole fuel from an Ampol service station and then went to her house and lit a car on fire.

Later, Crossan travelled to Beenleigh in Brisbane and threatened people with a pair of scissors outside of a martial arts studio on May 9, 2024.

Crossan was arrested and he pleaded guilty to charges of going armed as to cause fear, arson, harassment, contravening a police protection notice and stealing.

The court heard the car Crossan torched was not the property of his ex-partner but was bought for her by his dad.

Defence Barrister Scott McLennan said Crossan’s father bought it for her to use when she and Crossan were dating and the car was worth between $2,000 to $3,000.

“They were both insulting and abusive … the complainant referred to my client as gay,” Mr McLennan said.

“It wasn’t all one sided.”

Crossan filled a jerry can with petrol. Picture: istock

Mr McLennan told the court Crossan’s car was left at his ex’s address after he was arrested the first time and when he returned to retrieve it found “someone had taken a hammer to it”.

“In any event he accepts it was disgraceful conduct … he wants to apologise to her and the court for his behaviour,” Mr McLennan said.

The court heard Crossan was taking methamphetamine on days his offending took place.

District Judge Gregory Lynham said Crossan’s messages to his ex on March 26 were “concerningly abusive and threatening”.

“You said in a number that you wished the complainant was dead ... that you couldn’t wait to see her suffer and that you would not shed a tear if she died,” Judge Lynham said.

Judge Lynham said Crossan went to pay for the fuel he would use to torch his ex’s car at Ampol, before he realised he had no money and walked away.

He said the fire Crossan started reached up to two or three metres in height and were close to the victim’s house and an open window and he said it wasn’t difficult to imagine the fire spreading.

“If that occurred you’d be facing more serious charges today … the Holden Odyssey was totally burned out,” Judge Lynham said.

Crossan was sentenced to three years imprisonment with a parole release date set for February 28.

The court heard Crossan had a history of public intoxication, but no history of domestic violence offending.

Judge Lynham said “the fact is that in one sense all you’ve done there is cause harm to your father, who is the actual owner of the car”.

“That in many ways is a spiteful act no doubt bourne out from the consequences of your excessive drug use at the time … you just can’t go around and burn property.”

Crossan was sentenced to three years imprisonment with a parole release date set for February 28, 2025 and declared 295 days spent in custody.

“I only hope that your time in custody Mr Crossan has been a salvatory one and that you’re not obviously a foolish or stupid man and its given you the motivation to stay out of trouble,” Judge Lynham said.

“You need to take stock of your life and sort yourself out, not engage in this behaviour again.”

Crossan spoke to Judge Lynham from custody and said he would move heaven and earth to not return to prison.

“Don’t drink and don’t do drugs, it’s as simple as that,” Crossan said.

“I hope to do something worthwhile in society and become a productive member.”