Kyle Bay renter Elizabeth Butt sentenced for house fire after eviction

A mother who was so angry at her landlords she set her south Sydney house on fire when sheriffs turned up to evict her has been sentenced for her drastic actions. Find out what happened in court.

Elizabeth Butt was jailed in Sutherland Local Court after she pleaded guilty to damaging more than $15,000 worth of property and two counts of assaulting a law officer. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

An unemployed mother has been jailed for setting fire to her home because she was furious they tried to evict her over unpaid rent.

Elizabeth Mary Butt, 54, was sentenced to two years imprisonment with a non parole period of one year in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

Magistrate Christopher McRobert said he understood and sympathised with Butt’s situation and acknowledged she was distressed about the eviction.

“Butt was aggrieved about having to leave her home but it must have been something she saw coming and her reaction at the time was grossly inappropriate,” Mr McRobert said.

“[Her actions] were a serious example of someone deliberately, intentionally setting fire to a dwelling because of anger towards an owner exercising their legal rights.”

Elizabeth Butt, 54, pleaded guilty to burning her rental unit, causing more than $15,000 worth of damage. File photo: Ashleigh Tullis

Agreed facts tendered to court said Butt’s then-husband began leasing the Riverview Ave three-bedroom, single-storey home in 2007.

In February, the real estate agency managing the home was made aware Mr Butt had left the property after separating from his wife.

The documents said Butt refused to make rental payments, prompting the owners to arrange for her to be evicted.

On the morning of June 2, two sheriffs went to the home to force Butt to leave and for a locksmith to change the locks.

Butt met the sheriffs at the door before slamming it shut when they tried to explain the eviction warrant.

Her Connells Point home on Riverview Ave was damaged by fire and set alight. Picture: 9 NEWS

Butt’s two sons allowed sheriffs into the home before they packed some belongings and left.

About two hours later, the sheriffs saw Butt pick up a five-litre petrol tin from the garage, and she faced the men.

The sheriffs asked her to put it down, but she threw the petrol tin at them, the documents said.

The cap was not secured, and petrol poured out near the men.

Butt held a lighter in her hand before she said words to the effect of, “the owners are going to pay for this now. I’ll f*** the property up”, according to the documents.

The house was left uninhabitable. Picture: 9 NEWS

The sheriffs left the house, fearing for their safety and called the police and firefighters.

While talking to Triple-0 operators, Butt walked out of the garage, and a large plume of black smoke started billowing.

Butt walked down the driveway before yelling, “now the landlords will see how much the property is worth”.

Police arrived a short time later and arrested Butt on Connells Point Road.

Butt previously pleaded guilty to damaging more than $15,000 worth of property and two counts of assaulting a law officer.

Smoke was seen billowing from the house when emergency services arrived. Picture: 9 NEWS

The court heard Butt had no prior criminal history, no psychological issues and her actions appeared to be an “aberration” because she was previously a person of good character.

A neuropsychological report stated Butt had “adequate intellectual functioning … well within normal limits” and no mental illness.

Mr McRobert said he could not understand why Butt reacted the way she did.

He noted Butt did not listen to the reasonable request of the sheriff to put down the petrol can, and at that point, she “lost control”, adding it was a “dangerous crime”.

Mr McRobert noted that her decision to set the house on fire appeared “spontaneous”, but she did not attempt to put out the fire.

He accepted Butt’s remorse was genuine, and she understood it was a “terrible act” and had affected the victims.

He said the seriousness of the offence warranted a term of imprisonment. Butt will be eligible for release to parole on November 14 next year.