Gilgandra: Jeremy Hammond pleaded guilty to setting his mother’s Gumble St home on fire, chasing a relative while armed

A former apprentice jockey has pleaded guilty to setting his mother’s country house on fire before he chased a relative while armed with a golf club and knife. Here’s the latest.

Jeremy Hammond has faced Gilgandra Local Court on a range of charges. Photo: Facebook.

A man is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to setting his mother’s house on fire and chasing a relative while armed with a golf club and knife.

Jeremy Hammond, of Gilgandra, was charged with domestic violence offences of damaging property worth more than $15,000 by fire, contravening an apprehended violence order, and stalking or intimidation.

The 38-year-old former apprentice jockey was also charged with breach of bail and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He pleaded guilty to all offences when he faced Gilgandra Local Court via audio-visual link from Wellington Correctional Centre on Tuesday, before describing a relative as a “putrid dog” on the link.

Emergency services were called to Gumble St, Gilgandra, following reports a house was alight at 8.30pm on August 1.

Jeremy Hammond, 38, set his mother's Gumble St home on fire. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

No one was home at the time of the blaze, which Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished.

Court facts state one of Hammond’s relatives approached the razed home to check on the smoke when Hammond jumped the backyard fence and chased the relative to his house while armed with a golf club and knife.

“[The relative] managed to close the front screen door moments before the accused swung at the screen door with the golf club, hitting the door,” the facts state.

Jeremy Hammond was taken to Gilgandra police station and charged. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

Hammond was arrested a short time later after patrolling police found him at the intersection of Wrigley and Strickland St, Gilgandra.

He was taken to Gilgandra police station where he was charged with the offences.

Facts stated investigators were considering forensically examining Hammond’s hands for “any evidence of starting a fire”, however, the offender requested to use the bathroom, where he masturbated.

He needed to clean his hands, so investigators did not examine his hands.

No other forensic procedures were conducted for “mental health” reasons as no support worker was present.

Magistrate Stephen Barlow ordered a mental health assessment report before the sentence on October 8.