Arsonists hired by bouncy castle business get prison time cut

Two arsonists hired by a bouncy castle business owner to eliminate his competition have had years shaved off their jail time following an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Two arsonists hired by a bouncy castle business owner to get rid of his competition have had years taken off their prison time.

Two arsonists hired by a bouncy castle business owner to eradicate his competition have had years shaved off their prison time following an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Craig Anderson and Peter George Smith pleaded guilty to the torching spree, which caused more than $2 million worth of damage to party hire businesses in Werribee, Hallam, Tullamarine, Keysborough and Warragul.

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Another inferno at a Hoppers Crossing factory almost wiped out A & A Jumping Castles when dozens of jumping castles, a stretch limo and a mechanical bull were destroyed.

Anderson and Smith said they were offered $10,000 by James Balcombe, owner of Awesome Party Hire, to set fire to five of his competitors between December 19, 2016 and February 17, 2017.

Anderson told the court Mr Balcombe had been desperate to get rid of his competition, who he had accused of stealing his ideas.

Smith said he had agreed to be part of the arson plot in a bid to earn money to pay vet bills for his injured dog, while Anderson used his chunk of the cash to buy drugs and alcohol.

Anderson was sentenced to 11 years and nine months behind bars for his part in all 10 blazes, while Smith, who was only involved in two fires, was given three years and six months in jail.

James Balcombe is wanted by police for failing to appear in court last month.

But their sentences were this week slashed after lawyers for the two men successfully argued they were “manifestly excessive”, given the pair had fully co-operated with police and provided crucial evidence about Mr Balcombe’s involvement, as well as that of a fourth co-accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Supreme Court Justices Phillip Priest and Kim Hargrave said there would be no case against Mr Balcombe without Anderson’s evidence.

His sentenced was reduced to eight years and six months’ jail time, while Smith’s prison stint was reduced to two years and four months.

“The prosecution does not have a case against the principal offender, Balcombe, who was the architect of and driving force behind the arson (and attempted arson), without Anderson’s evidence,” they said.

“Balcombe could never be brought to account for his serious offending without it (and) in our opinion, the sentence imposed by the sentencing judge does not adequately reflect the very great value of Anderson’s assistance.”

It comes as Mr Balcombe, who was due to face court last month, got the jump on authorities by skipping bail.

Police have issued a warrant for the 54-year-old’s arrest.

He is known to frequent the Mernda and Eltham areas.

Anyone with any other information on the whereabouts of James Balcombe is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or call 1800 333 000.