Kyle Lance Mansfield set fire to home and boat, spray-painted offensive message on wall

A court has heard why a man who set fire to an Ashmore home spray-painted an outrageous message on the side of the building.

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A boilermaker spray-painted a house with the words “that’s for f***ing my wife” to try and conceal his identity after setting the home on fire.

The blaze destroyed the house and car port.

He also destroyed a Nissan Navara and tinnie.

The court was told Kyle Lance Mansfield’s arson was “motivated entirely by malice and vengeance”.

The occupant of the home was the estranged partner of Mansfield’s step-mother.

After pleading guilty to the arson on Tuesday, Mansfield told the Bulletin he did not recall the graffiti. However, the court was told on Friday that he did not recall as he was under instructions from his solicitor not to comment about the graffiti.

The graffiti found on the side of the home. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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In the Southport District Court on Friday, Judge Geraldine Dann sentenced Mansfield to four years prison for the arson, immediately suspended for four years.

The 30-year-old had pleaded guilty to multiple charges including arson, stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Mansfield offered to pay $20,000 compensation on Friday and a further $30,000 over the next two years.

Kyle Lance Mansfield with his lawyer Bettina Webb, of Howden Saggers Lawyers. Picture: Lea Emery

On Friday Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher told the court that on January 14, 2019 Mansfield took a number of items, including a passport, tinnie and car, from the Ashmore home.

He then set the Nissan Navara on fire. It spread to the car port and the house.

The former partner of Mansfield’s step-mother was renting the home.

The home had to be demolished. About $250,000 was paid by the insurer.

“(The fire was) a protracted and direct attack and motivated entirely by malice and vengeance,” Ms Gallagher said.

“There was a custody battle in the background and not something (Mansfield) was involved in.”

After the fire the words “that’s for f***ing my wife” were seen spray painted on the side of the home.

Ms Gallagher said Mansfield painted the words in order to conceal his identity.

Damage to the house after the fire. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The tinnie Mansfield had stolen was found destroyed by fire in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Defence barrister Nick McGhee, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Mansfield had gone to the home to take property.

He said when Mansfield returned the car “he made a momentary and stupid decision to burn that car fearing he may have left something on it.”

There was no accelerant used to start the fire, Mr McGhee told the court.

Mr McGhee said at the time of the fires Mansfield was using about 5g of the drug ice per week.

He said since being taken into custody Mansfield had been free of drugs and rarely drank alcohol.

A clean drug test was tendered to the court.

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A former Gold Coast man who set fire to an Ashmore home, stole a boat and then torched it said “we all make mistakes” and admitted there was no reason for the blazes.

Kyle Lance Mansfield says he does not know who graffitied the words “that’s for f***ing my wife” on the side of the home around the time of the fires.

The house was significantly damaged on the morning of January 14, 2019. The fire started in the car port.

The boat was stolen from the home and found later torched in the Gold Coast hinterland. The house was owned by someone known to Mansfield.

House and car fire at Ashmore. Picture: Phil Pope

He told the Bulletin outside the Southport District Court he did not remember if the graffiti was there when he got to the home or before he left.

“I didn’t take any notice,” he said.

He has not been linked to the graffiti.

Mansfield pleaded guilty on Tuesday to arson, stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Sentencing was adjourned until Friday so Mansfield could organise a drug test and for restitution for the damage caused.

Firefighters at the scene of the house fire in Ashmore. Picture Glenn Hampson

Outside of court, Mansfield said: “It is definitely a bit of a blur now two years later and being under the influence I don’t recall every step of that day.”

Asked if there was a reason he set fire to the home, stole the boat and set it on fire, Mansfield replied: “There was no reason for it. It was just a spur of the moment at the time. I was under the influence at the time and there is no real answer to that.”

Mansfield apologised for the fires.

“I obviously regret my actions at the time. We all make mistakes and it will never happen again.”

He said he hoped he could get some forgiveness.

Mansfield has since moved to Victoria.

His trial has been delayed a number of times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am not using drugs at all, just been constantly working and keeping out of trouble,” he said.

Kyle Lance Mansfield with his lawyer Bettina Webb, of Howden Saggers Lawyers. Picture: Lea Emery

Mansfield previously spent six months in prison for the arson and theft and has been on bail since mid-2019.

Mansfield’s lawyer Bettina Webb, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Mansfield was relieved to see an end to the matter.

“His plea is a clear indication of his remorse for his actions and he anxiously awaits the final resolution of these matters,” she said.

His bail was extended until sentence on Friday.

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