Man who lights multiple fires in one night fronts court

A man claims he was acting on orders from an outlaw motorbike gang when he went on an arson spree torching cars and a house, a court has heard.

Two people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation after a fire tragically burned through a house on Hervey St, Hervey Bay. Saturday, December 16, 20203

A man who claimed a bikie gang ordered him to torch cars and a house while its occupants slept has been jailed for six years.

Peter Burgess, 67, told police during a police interview what he did for Comanchero bikie gang was “just a down payment” and that he’d kill three individuals and himself after coming out of jail.

He appeared for sentencing in the County Court on Friday after pleading guilty to a number of charges including threatening to kill, arson and damaging property with intent to endanger life.

Burgess appeared via a video link from custody and told the court his actions were spontaneous but Judge Peter Lauritsen rejected his argument.

Police summary shows Burgess arrived outside a commercial premises in Brunswick about 12.15am in February 2022, deflated all four tyres of a car he mistakenly targeted and set the vehicle on fire.

Just over an hour later, he poured petrol over a Datsun car parked in a driveway in Black Rock and set it on fire.

He then set alight the front door of a house.

Occupants of the house rang emergency services and put the fire out using a garden hose.

A few hours later, a police officer arrived at Burgess’ house in Beaumaris and asked that he speak to police cops at the front door.

Burgess refused, saying a Comanchero was holding a gun on him.

The Critical Incident Response Team entered the house and arrested Burgess and brought him to Moorabbin police station where he said: ““I may go to jail for a long period of time, but when I come out, it’s going to be a hell of a lot worse than that”.

On setting fire to the car in Black Rock, Burgess said he would be back “bigger and better” and that his act was “just a down payment”.

Burgess said he had also planned to torch a Mitsubishi but did not have enough petrol.

Peter Burgess blamed the Comanchero for carrying out a spree of arson attacks on cars and a house.

He admitted he was “mad as hell’ and did “crazy s--t”.

Judge Burgess said Burgess’ comments to police showed he had no remorse.

“You were acting under a recognised psychological disorder but that doesn’t reduce the need to deter you. In the absence of treatment, your behaviour will continue,” he said.

The judge said there was no evidence jail would worsen the disorder.

Burgess will have to serve a minimum non parole of three years and 6 months.