Convicted firebug Chad Musgrave jailed for drug supply across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie

A convicted firebug who got caught dealing almost 800g of ‘meth’ across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie has been sentenced.

Paint tins underneath a house on Merran St. Charlestown were set alight. Photo: Amy Ziniak

A convicted firebug who got caught dealing ‘meth’ across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie could be released just in time for Christmas.

Chad Joseph Musgrave, 36, of Windale, pleaded guilty in October to drug supply and ongoing drug supply.

Court documents state Musgrave was supplying drugs at Hamilton on Boxing Day last year on two occasions, totalling almost 800g of meth. He was also caught dealing meth at Belmont last December.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday, Judge Roy Ellis sentenced him to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

With time already spent behind bars, Musgrave could be out by December 5.

Chad Musgrave has been sentenced for drug supply charges. Credit: Facebook

While he was being sentenced Musgrave also took the chance to appeal a sentence he was given in September for lighting random fires.

He was jailed for a three-year term with a non-parole period of 18 months for fire offences in October and November of 2019.

On Friday, that sentence was quashed by Judge Ellis and the appeal was granted to reduce the jail sentence to 18 months.

At the time, the Lake Macquarie firebug admitted to police he “needed help” because he kept lighting fires.

Court documents reveal he set ablaze multiple mattresses, rubbish, skip bins as well as several cars throughout the Lake Macquarie suburbs of Windale and Charlestown.

Damage to the front of a car which was set on fire at Whitburn Close, Charlestown was extensive. Photo: Amy Ziniak

A car at Whitburn Close, Charlestown was set alight. Photo: Amy Ziniak

It was at a time when the Hunter region was experiencing hot temperatures and strong winds, with a total fire ban declared.

He also set fire to a Merran Ave home in Charlestown when the residents were home at the time, including a toddler, as well as the family car.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of damage property by fire, while 11 other charges, which included failure to comply with a total fire ban, were withdrawn.

It was previously heard in court Musgrave had been involved in handing out pamphlets in the Windale area at the time of some of the fires.

He admitted to needing help in relation to fires and videoing fires.