Sam Allen Evans: Court hears man reached life’s ‘worst point’ before lighting businesses on fire

A court has heard how a homeless father who turned to drugs before lighting a business on fire back in 2019, now feels “ashamed” for what he did.

A 29-year-old man has told a court how he wants to spend time with his four-year-old son again, and make up for the wrongs he caused when he destroyed two Port Macquarie businesses by fire in 2019.

Sam Allen Evans appeared in Port Macquarie District Court where he gave evidence about how his life had spiralled out of control when he set fire to the second floor unit above the Toytopia toy store on Horton St in June 2019.

“I was homeless, I was on drugs, it was really bad,” Evans said.

“It was at the worst point in my life.”

Better days: Toytopia and the Dumpling Noodle House

Evans pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire/explosive at Port Macquarie Local Court in July, where magistrate Georgina Darcy committed him for sentence to the district court.

The court heard he set fire to the sites of the former Noodle Dumpling House and Toytopia toy store – the latter of which was owned by Michelle Leigh Symes.

Ms Symes is also currently before the courts on separate charges.

She is facing a charge of intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire/explosive of a value greater than $15,000; and making a false and dishonest insurance claim to Chubb Insurance in total of $179,415.

Ms Symes has not yet entered a plea to those matters, which are set to return to court on August 19.

“When you say you were homeless, where were you staying?” Evans’ solicitor, Isaac Morrison, asked.

“On the beach in Lake Cathie,” Evans replied.

“You had no support from family?” Morrison asked.

“No.”

Dumpling Noodle House (left) and the neighbouring for lease premises formally operating as Toytopia

For Lease: The Horton St premises formally operating as Toytopia

Evans told Mr Morrison in cross examination that he wanted to seek help for his drug addiction, he just didn’t know how.

“I am willing to seek further help [now],” he said.

“I know that I needed help [then], I just didn’t have the skills to do it.”

Evans told the court how he now feels motivated to undergo rehabilitation, in the hope of one day having access again to his four-year-old son.

“I want to be a proper member of society and have access to my son,” he said.

“I am ashamed of myself … I am sorry for the people this has affected.”

Police facts outline that on June 8, 2019, emergency services were altered by passers-by of a fire that was occurring on the first floor between 99-101 Horton St, Port Macquarie.

Port Macquarie Court House

The blaze was extinguished and both premises remained structurally intact, but the businesses – the Noodle Dumpling Bar and the Toytopia toy store – were partially gutted.

Forensic Crime Scene Examiners determined the fire occurred in the first floor flat above Toytopia.

At the scene, investigators located a black beanie with two eye holes cut into the front and a pair of blue work overalls a short distance away.

DNA samples were taken from a glove, the overalls and beanie, and sent for testing.

A 20-litre tin was also seized, and petrol from the tin was detected on a piece of carpet underneath it.

The DNA on the evidence matched that of Evans, whose profile was also found at a break, enter and steal at a business on Ocean Dr at Kew.

CCTV also captured the offender walking past both Horton St businesses, carrying the metal tin which was located at the crime scene.

Mr Morrison has submitted to judge Jeffreys that Evans would be best suited by serving a jail term in the community at a drug residential facility.

The matter will return to Port Macquarie District Court for sentencing on August 26.