Scott Beech Carless, 42, of Terrey Hills: Sprayed petrol on another man in dispute over alleged stolen property

A Sydney man, angry over his belief that machinery had been stolen from his business, sprayed another man with petrol and threatened: “I’ll f***** light you up’. See what happened in court

Scott Beech Carless, 42, of Terrey Hills, leaving Manly Local Court on Wednesday where he was convicted of dousing another man in fuel and threatening to set him alight. Picture: Manly Daily

A man was sprayed with petrol and threatened with being set on fire in a dispute with a northern beaches’ business owner who believed property had been stolen from his factory.

Scott Beech Carless, 42, of Terrey Hills, doused the victim with unleaded petrol mixed with water at the front door of his house.

“I’ll f***** light you up mate,” Carless yelled at the man, 39, who he alleged had stolen machinery from his manufacturing business at Warriewood.

Carless also threatened to burn down the man’s house and torch his car, Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday.

There was a woman and her two small children in the house at Terrey Hills when the threats were made.

Scott Beech Carless, 42, of Terrey Hills, leaving Manly Local Court on Wednesday. He was convicted and received a 20-month Intensive Correction Order. Picture: Manly Daily

Carless pleaded guilty to one count each of possess dangerous thing with intent to injure; stalk/intimidate intend fear of physical harm; threaten to destroy or damage another person’s property and; drive while licence cancelled.

His solicitor said that Carless was under the influence of methamphetamine when he sprayed the petrol on the man.

The court heard there had been a simmering dispute between Carless and the man about the alleged theft of machinery from his business, which he owns with his father.

In a police facts sheet tendered to court police stated that at 10.38pm on Monday, November 14 last year, Carless, whose licence had been cancelled, drove a ute to the victim’s home and knocked on the door.

Scott Beech Carless, 42, of Terrey Hills, leaving Manly Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Manly Daily

The pair had a long discussion at the front of the house that became heated.

“You’ve stolen all our stuff, tell me where it is,” Carless said to the victim who denied the allegation.

Police sated that Carless then produced a bottle containing a mixture of unleaded petrol and water and sprayed the victim on the face.

“I’ll f***** light you up mate,” Carless yelled as the man managed to get back inside the house, with his eyes stinging and unable to see.

Carless then yelled “I’ll f***** light your car up. I’ll light ya whole house up,” the facts sheets stated.

“You asked for it mate”.

Carless then left in the ute without carrying out his threats.

The victim became dizzy and was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital.

Carless’ solicitor said his client acknowledged that his victim had struggled due to his client’s actions.

“(Carless) realises it was a massive mistake,” the solicitor said.

Magistrate Robyn Denes said that there was a degree of planning in Carless’ offending.

“What you’ve done on this occasion is vigilantism,” Ms Denes told him. “What you hoped to achieve is beyond me.

“You went round to this fellow’s house and threatened to set him on fire.”

Carless was convicted and jailed for 20 months, but will be able to serve the sentence, under supervision, as part of an Intensive Correction Order. He also has to complete 120 hours of community service.