Gold Coast arson: Brandon Troy Gibson-Tinetti jailed after fire at Hope Island marina

A man’s plan to set fire to a luxury boat – which sunk or damaged four other Gold Coast vessels – was “at best inept”. Now he’s told a court why he started the blaze.

A MAN’S plan to set fire to a luxury boat – which sunk or damaged four other Gold Coast vessels – was “at best inept” after he claims he was coerced into it to recoup insurance money.

Brandon Troy Gibson-Tinetti set the fire at Hope Island using a jerry can of fuel and toilet paper.

Boats on fire at Hope Harbour Marina in Hope Island after the arson. Picture: Anna Wood.

Judge Rowan Jackson said he accepted it came after his mechanic – Daniel Webster – allegedly threatened not to return Gibson-Tinetti his car unless he “sunk his boat”.

Gibson-Tinetti was not offered a discount on the car repairs to set the fire, the Southport District Court was told.

The 26-year-old started the fire on June 2, last year – after weeks of resisting. It lead to the $50,000 boat sinking and four other boats in the Hope Island Marina being sunk or damaged.

He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to arson.

Judge Jackson sentenced him to three years’ prison to be released on parole after he has served three months.

“I accept that you believed the car wasn’t going to be returned to you or fixed at all unless you burned the boat,” he said.

Scene of boat fires at Hope Harbour Marina at Hope Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

Scene of boat fires at Hope Harbour Marina at Hope Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

Webster is still before the courts, facing arson and fraud charges.

The court was told Gibson-Tinetti met Webster through his employment and asked him to fix a car for him.

Webster agreed and quoted $5500 for the repairs.

Gibson asked to pay $1700 upfront and then work out a payment plan for the rest of the repairs.

Webster initially agreed but then allegedly asked Gibson-Tinetti to sink his boat, the court heard.The court was told when Gibson-Tinetti refused to do it, Webster allegedly told him he would not get his car back until the boat was sunk.

Scene of boat fires at Hope Harbour Marina at Hope Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

Judge Jackson said he accepted Webster took Gibson-Tinetti to the Hope Island Marina on May 11 last year, showed him how to get past security without a key and told him he would keep the boat unlocked.

Gibson-Tinetti went to the marina about 9.30pm on June 2 last year with a jerry can.

There Gibson-Tinetti poured fuel over the engine, laid out toilet paper on the floor and set it on fire.

He fled but was burned during the fire.

The fire spread to four other boats.

The damage done to the boats was “significant” but the court was not told the cost of damage.

Police initially estimated the damage to be more than $1 million.

Gibson-Tinetti’s barrister Eric Engwirda, instructed by Rawlings Criminal Law, said Gibson-Tinetti had “no gain at all” from lighting the boat on fire.

“It was at best inept as what took place,” he said.

“His thought he might be able to burn through the engine bay and cause it to sink was somewhat unrealistic.”

Mr Engwirda said Gibson-Tinetti suffered from autism in combination with substance abuse and a learning difficulty which had contributed to the offending.

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