Forest Lake man Matthew Telaulau Czech, 38, set stolen car alight and burgled homes to feed habit

A Judge has “decided to take a risk” on an arsonist who torched a stolen car to destroy evidence and burgled houses all over Brisbane and Logan to feed his ice addiction.

Forest Lake man Matthew Telaulau Czech, 38, will be released from jail on December 28 this year having served 20 months after pleading guilty to 26 indictable and summary offences, including arson and seven burglaries. Picture: Facebook

A QUEENSLAND Judge has “decided to take a risk” on an arsonist who torched a stolen car to destroy evidence and burgled houses all over Brisbane and Logan to feed his ice addiction.

“I sincerely hope I’m not making a mistake, your criminal history suggests I am,” Judge Michael Byrne QC told Forest Lake man Matthew Telaulau Czech, 38, a recidivist offender with a 20-year history of drug addiction and stealing who was being sentenced for 26 offences.

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These included seven burglaries, three attempted burglaries, three stolen cars, arson, possession of methylamphetamine and driving without a licence as a repeat offender.

The burglaries were committed over a wide area in late April and early May last year, with properties targeted at Waterford, Coopers Plains, Wynnum, Calamvale and Kuraby (twice) among others. During three of the burglaries Czech was disturbed by the terrified occupants.

The arson occurred on April 30 last year, when Czech set alight at Forest Lake a car he stole from Coopers Plains. Arresting police discovered ice in his possession. Judge Byrne concluded the arson was an attempt to destroy evidence.

Beenleigh Court House, Sunday, December 30, 2018 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Despite his misgivings, Judge Byrne ordered that Czech be paroled on December 28, when he will have served 20 months of a five-year sentence.

“I’ve decided to take a risk on you,” he said.

“I’ve been convinced there are enough glimmers of hope for that to occur rather than leave that to the Parole Board.”

Not least of these glimmers were the five family members, including Czech’s parents and an adult son, who sought special leave to sit in court to support their son and father.

Judge Byrne commented that this was a rare sight to see in the District Court, and they were permitted to speak with Czech during an adjournment in the case.

Czech told his parents how much their support meant to him and lamented that he could hear but not see them due to the angle of the court’s videolink.

The court heard that Czech was a young prodigy, talented athletically and captain of his primary school. However, in high school he was introduced to cannabis and progressed shortly to speed.

This commenced a 20-year cycle of crisis and relapse, with Czech always turning to drugs to deal with “difficulties in life”, especially relationship breakdowns.

“Instead of asking your drug dealer to help you, you need to ask your family for help,” Judge Byrne said.

Czech has been active in prison life, cleaning his unit and participating in a number of courses, the court heard.

“There are bright spots – you have the ability to contribute to society,” Judge Byrne said.