Taylor John Jones pleads guilty to arson for Reid neighbour dispute

A neighbour’s refusal to turn down the bass in a Canberra apartment block turned sour quickly. Read what happened after a student stabbed an aerosol can and set it alight.

Taylor John Jones pleaded guilty to arson, common assault and possessing an offensive weapon. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

A man has admitted throwing a lit aerosol can into his neighbour’s doorway following an argument about loud music.

Reid man Taylor John Jones, 27, pleaded guilty in ACT Magistrates Court on Monday to arson, possessing an offensive weapon and common assault.

All three charges relate to a single incident on September 4.

A statement of facts tendered to the court details how Jones became angered when he heard loud music from an apartment above him at 12.53pm on September 4.

He went upstairs to the apartment, knocked on the door and said “hey do you mind turning the bass down or do I need to report you again?” to his neighbour.

Court documents say the victim pointed his finger at Jones and told him he had been living in the unit for 15 years so he could play music when he wanted.

Taylor John Jones leaves the ACT Law Courts on Monday October 17, 2022. Jones pleaded guilty to arson, common assault and possessing an offensive weapon. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

This led to the two men yelling at each other before Jones went back to his apartment.

Jones returned to his neighbour‘s apartment and yelled at the victim “ You want to f---ing fight me and sh-t … I’m not a junkie, I work.”

The argument continued, before Jones left and returned with an aerosol can and knife.

Jones pierced the can with a knife and pulled out a lighter to light the can.

He then swung the can into the doorway setting the door on fire.

During this attack, Jones inadvertently set his own pants on fire.

The victim and his wife began to throw water on Jones in an attempt to put out the fire.

However Jones held up the knife towards the male victim and threatened him before slashing at him three times, narrowly missing.

Jones went downstairs while the victim and his wife called police who arrested Jones shortly after.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker set a sentence date for Jones in the ACT Supreme Court on October 27.

Ms Walker also set a date for Jones to be resentenced for unrelated breach and indecent exposure charges.

He will face ACT Magistrates Court on December 12 to deal with those matters.